ADM trucks running on B100 had no trouble during February cold snap

Photo: Optimus Technologies

Record-cold temperatures last month posed no trouble for a fleet of Archer Daniels Midland Co. trucks running on 100 percent biodiesel (B100) in central Illinois. The trucks, part of a pilot program supported by ADM, Optimus Technologies, the American Lung Association, the National Biodiesel Board, the Illinois Soybean Association and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, ran nearly 24,000 miles in February, even in temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pilot program is demonstrating real-world viability of Optimus Technologies’ Vector System. While nearly all OEMs support B20 use, Optimus’ system is designed to optimize B100 use in conventional diesels, even in temperatures like those experienced last month.

“This pilot, using ADM trucks and ADM-produced biodiesel, has the potential to validate technology that could dramatically increase the use of environmentally friendly biodiesel across the trucking industry,” said Steve Finn, ADM’s vice president for trucking. “We’re excited to be part of this project, and we’re proud to see the technology proving itself—including in the recent extreme weather.”

Five ADM trucks installed Optimus Technologies’ Vector System and are being used daily. Each truck is expected to travel between 160,000 and 180,000 miles on B100 produced at ADM’s biodiesel plant in Mexico, Missouri. In using pure biodiesel, each truck will reduce CO2 emissions by half a million pounds.

The recent weather events show how well biodiesel can operate in winter weather. B100 and biodiesel blends are used year-round, even in the coldest U.S. states like Minnesota. According to the Illinois Soybean Association, vehicles have logged billions of problem-free miles on biodiesel since 2003.

“Biodiesel blends up to B20 should be treated just like petroleum diesel fuel by using cold-weather additives recommended by your fuel supplier, while B100 should be paired with technology such as the Vector System when operating in colder climates,” stated the ISA.