Chrysler's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Deb Morrissett spoke at the National Biodiesel Board Conference and addressed one of the biggest problems in the industry, a lack of formulation standards. She urged biodiesel producers to focus on defining a standard formula for B20 automotive fuel. In order for carmakers to develop diesel engines capable of running reliably on B20, they need to know how the fuels will perform and react with the engine components. DaimlerChrysler is an industry leader in diesel development, recently unveiling the 2007 Ram pickup with an updated Cummins diesel capable of running on B5 and B20. The new Rams and Jeep Grand Cherokee diesels come out the factory filled with B5.

The Ram is only rated for running B20 for government fleets running military-specification biodiesel. If a standard fuel were available all of the diesels could run on B20. In addition to diesel, DaimlerChrysler is also committed to other alternative power-train technologies, such as ethanol flex-fuel systems, hybrids, battery electrics, and fuel cells. The Chrysler press release with more information about the speech is after the jump.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Loren Beard, senior manager of fuels for DaimlerChrysler, said yesterday that diesel and biodiesel will be key to America's energy future and that DaimlerChrysler will keep on expanding its diesel-powered vehicle lineup (currently five diesel vehicles in 2007). DaimlerChrysler will also do more to educate Americans on homegrown biodiesel.

Beard said that diesel is good for America, and "biodiesel makes diesel better. Emissions of particulates - an important issue in congested urban areas - can be reduced more than 80 percent with modern, clean diesel engines running on biodiesel."

Beard was speaking at a biodiesel conference in Washington, D.C., and said the better fuel economy, increased life and resale value of diesel vehicles are things consumers should keep in mind. Beard may be bullish on diesel, but Mercedes was not able to release the E320 Bluetec as a 50-state vehicle, as originally promised. We'll see how future vehicles measure up.

Related:

• The future of diesel in America looks ... good?
• Mercedes E320 Bluetec arrives as 45-State Vehicle

[Source: Chrysler Group via Green Car Congress]