The efficacy of biodiesel as an automotive fuel is well recognized. Several countries including U.S.A. are substituting the conventional mineral diesel by biodiesel to address the issues of air quality and energy security. The availability of wastelands, presence of a variety of non-edible oil seeds and plants, prospects of development of rural economy, biodegradability and emission benefits are some of the positive attributes which qualify biodiesel especially its blends to be a prominent contender for substituting petrodiesel in India. Moreover, the technological requirements for process and production of biodiesel being comparatively less cumbersome and its ability to fuel an existing diesel vehicle with no or minor modifications also make it a promising alternate fuel.

In recent years several initiatives are being taken in India to bring this fuel from the fields to the wheels. The Planning Commission, Government of India has constituted a Committee for " Development of biofuels" with experts from organizations like CPCB, IIP, MNES, IOC (R&D), etc.

This report presents a comprehensive view of biodiesel covering attributes like emissions, prospects of the fuel in India and other technological aspects. I am thankful to my colleagues Dr. B. Sengupta, Member Secretary, Dr. S.A. Dutta, Sr. Project Scientist and Shri R. Debroy, AEE for compiling this issue of PARIVESH.

I hope this will serve as a ready reference to the concerned authorities and general public.