The advancements and environmental benefits of clean diesel technology and the latest innovations in biodiesel fuel are on display this week at the 10^th Annual National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Las Vegas. The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) is participating in the event, which takes place Feb. 4-7.

In 2012, the National Biodiesel Board joined the DTF as an Allied Member.

“Clean diesel vehicle and equipment manufacturers and biodiesel producers share a future destiny – all which is linked to the diesel engine,” said Ezra Finkin, DTF’s director of Policy and External Relations. “Billions of dollars has been invested in research to advance diesel technology, meet customer demand, and achieve EPA’s near-zero emissions standards. Biodiesel producers have made similar investments anticipating a future with expanded use of domestically produced biofuels in diesel engines of all kinds.”

“A complete transformation of diesel technology in the U.S. has taken place in the last decade that has virtually eliminated particulate (soot) emissions from new diesel engines across the board,” Finkin said.  “For example, emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses have been reduced by 99 percent for nitrogen oxides and 98 percent for particulate emissions, which include black carbon.”

According to the National Biodiesel Board, last year the U.S. biodiesel industry set a new production record of nearly 1.1 billion gallons. Biodiesel is produced in nearly every state in the country, and biodiesel blends meeting ASTM standards are used in existing diesel engines without modification. 

More than 20 new clean diesel vehicles are set to be introduced to the U.S. market in 2013.