Bothered by Bio-diesel

[Kris Corey]

Bio diesel is a really cool way of using old cooking oil to create fuel that can be used to operate a diesel truck or car.

Well, I'm just a little confused about the other side of this coin and frankly, I'm hoping that my addition doesn't add up.

This is what I think I know:

    A) You can't buy diesel cars in California because they pollute more than California emmisions allow

    B) You can buy Diesel trucks in California as long as you license them commercially. It doesn't mean you have to use them commercially, just pay more to DMV.

     C) You can buy diesels outside of California and bring them into California without a problem as long as you license them commercially.

 

Now, the way I understand it, a vehicle, a diesel pick-up for example, is not required to pass California smog because it can't and, even if you run bio-diesel in it, the truck still cannot pass smog. Is this true?

 

If so, it's very cool that no petroleum products were used to make the truck operate but if it's putting out more carbon emissions than the gas version of the same truck then ?????? How good is this product really?

 

I recently saw some tourists driving a rental car to Yosemite National Park. The vehicle was fueled with biodiesel and that is why these visitors rented it. Are these folks really doing a good thing? Would a little gas powered car really put out fewer emissions????

 

Can anyone explain this one?

Are my facts incorrect?