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	Introduction     Database      Technologies    Projects     Calendar     Discussions     Contact & Links     Imprint & Disclaimer     Sitemap	go back to technology list       previous technology  next technology     Biodiesel  evaluated   There are various substitutes for diesel fuel ranging from biodiesel (e.g. oil esters from rape seed) to "synthetic" fuels. The following evaluation refers to rape oil methyl-ester (RME). Biodiesel can be used on all diesel engines with slight or no modification. Blending with conventional diesel is possible. Technology field: Optimisation of traction technologies General information   Description General criteria   Status of development: test series   Time horizon for broad application: 5 - 10 years   Expected technological development: basically exploited   Benefits (other than environmental): small   Barriers: high   Applicability for railway segments: medium     Type of traction:  diesel     Type of transportation:  passenger - main lines, passenger - regional lines, passenger - suburban lines, freight     Grade of diffusion into railway markets:   Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: < 5%   Share of newly purchased stock: (no data)   Market potential (railways): low Environmental criteria   Impacts on energy efficiency:   Energy efficiency potential for single vehicle: not applicable   Energy efficiency potential throughout fleet: not applicable   Other environmental impacts: ambivalent Economic criteria   Vehicle - fix costs: low   Vehicle - running costs: not applicable   Infrastructure - fix costs: medium   Infrastructure - running costs: increased   Scale effects: low   Amortisation: not applicable Application outside railway sector   Status of development outside railway sector: in use   Time horizon for broad application outside railway sector: in 5 - 10 years   Expected technological development outside railway sector: basically exploited   Market potential outside railway sector: small Overall rating   Overall potential: not promising   Time horizon: (no data) References / Links:  Bünder 2001;  DB AG, Zentralbereich 1996;  Hörl et al. 2001;  IFEU 2000;  Institute of Transport... 2001;  Nolte et al. 1998;  Umweltbundesamt 2000;  UNDP 1997;  Pfretzschner (1997) Attachments: Related projects:  Energy chains of alternative fuels Contact persons:  date created: 2002-10-09     © UIC - International Union of Railways 2003			Your contribution    add technology  Views of this page    show overview    show evaluation    show details  Print options    print data sheet    print screen  Help    Evaluation briefing    Technology list     French - German