Sustainability of biodiesel production as vehicular fuel in Indian perspective

Biodiesel production offers promising opportunities to create additional alternate sources of energy. Since India is deficient in edible oils, the non-edible oil like jatropha, neem, karanja, mahua, simarouba etc., could be the desirable source for India for production of bio-diesel. This brief presents the current status, discusses the future prospects and examines the critical constraints and impediments in India to the path of development of biodiesel program. It also offers suggestions and alternative policy options so as to enable the program to achieve its objectives. The effects of biodiesel on engine performances i.e. brake power, brake thermal efficiency, specific fuel consumption and substantial reduction in particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxide of nitrogen (NOx) were also reviewed.