It sounds like you are still looking for a place to get some biodiesel. I have heard on this list that there's a Mercedes shop on the peninsula somewhere that was selling B99 or B100, but I haven't been there. biodiesel.org has a list of retailers that isn't necessarily up to date, but it mentions a location in Half Moon Bay. That list is here:
http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/retailfuelingsites/showstate.asp?st=CA
If San Jose isn't too far out of your way, check out Western States Oil at 1790 S. 10th St. If the nearest biodiesel station is a bit out of the way, one thing I've done in the past is to buy 1-3 5 gallon fuel cans (I particularly like the 'Sceptre' brand ones because they don't spill at all, you can find them at OSH) and leave them at home or in the trunk for when you need them, so you don't need to make a trip to the place where you buy biodiesel very often. This may be more convenient depending on whether you have a wagon or not (keeping them in the trunk, I mean). I find it's good to have one just in case you're low on fuel and you're not near a place where you can get biodiesel, you don't have to bite your tongue and buy regular diesel.
-dan
On May 18, 2007, at 9:42 AM, res94025 wrote:
I know I'm the newbie here so don't take offense at my stupid questions. Has anyone ever
determined how much demand there is in the area for bio-diesel? I suppose it would be
much easier to convince a supplier if one could demonstrate a reasonable demand. If
there is one already it would be great to document it and if there isn't the question
becomes, how could we increase the demand and what other value could we provide to a
potnetial supplier in the interim while the demand is growing.
Obviously there is lots of play being given to the green movement, so it is an ideal time to
make some local efforts to get bio-diesel into our local spotlight.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I am the VP of the local section of the Mercedes Club
of America and I just bought my 300D as an experiment to use specifically to explore the
bio-fuel lifestyle for an article that I am going to write for our national magazine with a
circulation of well over 20,000 readers. It might be possible to extend the experiment and
include some of our local publications like the Palo Alto Weekly and Country Almanac as
an intersting story line - maybe the Chron and Mercury would even be interested. If the
publications are interested it makes an interesting value proposition to whoever supplies
the fuel locally as they are guaranteed editorial coverage to advertise the availability of the
fuel. This might be an incentive to find a way to make the fuel more available.
Of course, I don't understand any of the issues that might limit the ability to make the fuel
available to consumers. Are there permitting issues or contractual issues with stations?
Also, with my club connections I have access to reach out to over 1,500 Mercedes Benz
owners in the Bay Area. Clearly they aren't all driving diesels, they don't all live on the
Peninsula, and contrary to popular belief not all luxury German car drivers give a crap
about the environment - but I might capture a few locals who would increase the demand.
In a previous post I mentioned the old gas station in downtown PA that is currently for
lease. I haven't spoken with anyone about it - I just thought it would be an ideal location
as I always think of PA as being environmentally progressive and in the back of my mind
I've wondered if a sustainable business could be built around doing conversions and
supplying bio-fuels. I had heard somewhere that PA city vehicles were being run on bio-
diesel so I know the city embraces the concept - but they may not want a fuel station of
any kind in this downtown area. The station is on the corner of Emerson and Forest.
Expensive real estate for sure - but maybe the owner is a tree-hugger and willing to
discount for the cause ...
Anyway - I'm rambling. I'd love to get bit of education on what has happened in the local
scene regarding bio-diesel. Has it ever been available on the Peninsula? Where do you
guys go to get yours? Are there companies that will deliver it to your residences? Is
anyone using SVO or WVO? Give me anything you've got and feel free to do it off the
group by e-mailing robert(at)offserver.com.
Thanks!
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