National Biodiesel Conference displays Dodge, Jeep, VW biodiesel-powered models and Jay Leno’s 650-horsepower B100 EcoJet

The 2008 National Biodiesel Conference kicked off in Orlando, featuring country music star Michael Peterson, actress Daryl Hannah, and public ride-and-drives featuring a B20-powered 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck, a B5-powered 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a B5-powered 2009 VW Jetta TDI.

Jay Leno’s B100-powered EcoJet car, custom designed by General Motors, and featuring a jet engine, was on display at the Conference but not demonstrated. The car generates 650 horsepower and has a top speed of 220 miles per hour.

Last month at the International Auto Show, Chrysler unveiled a hybrid diesel-electric Jeep Renegade dune buggy. The Jeep can travel 40 miles on its lithium battery before switching to a cleantech diesel engine that can extend range to 400 miles and achieve 110 mpg. Chrysler also debuted a Dodge Zeo electric sports car with a range of 250 miles, and a Chrysler ecoVoyager powered by a plug-in battery and hydrogen fuel cells that has a total range of 300 miles with water vapor as the only emission.Meanwhile, Chrysler has been quietly stepping up its efforts on biofuels, primarily on the biodiesel side. The company recently partnered with the National Biodiesel Board to develop a new national fuel standard for B20.The existing biodiesel standard is based on B100. Chrysler currently authorizes B5 in its vehicles or B20 for fleet customers who follow specifications for fuel quality.

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