The benefits of using biodiesel fuel in cars are varied and are many. They cross a wide spectrum of reasons and opinions, and most are based on fact, although there are some benefits that stem from a more personal perspective of car owners. People change to biodiesel because they want to help the environment, the economic structure, or simply for no other reason other than they want to try it.

Economically, the domestic economy has been contributed to significantly by the biodiesel industry. There are estimated to be well in excess of 51,000 jobs currently being supported by the industry. This directly highlights the impact it has already had on economic growth, and reflects its potential to create even more jobs within the United States. With in excess of $4 billion being added to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the biodiesel industry, there is potential for more than 78,000 jobs being supported by the biodiesel industry by the year 2012. For the United States to ultimately benefit from the biodiesel industry and biodiesel fuels in general it has to thrive and become more stable. It is estimated that more than 16.500 jobs and $1.400 billion will be added to the GDP for every 100 million gallons of biodiesel being produced from algae.

Environmentally, in 2002, biodiesel completed the Tier 1 and Tier 2 EPA required health affects testing, becoming the only alternative fuel in the United States to be successfully tested under the Clean Air Act. This proved that biodiesel poses no threat to human life or health by conclusively demonstrating a significant reduction of almost all emissions being regulated. A study by the Department of Energy showed that there was a 78.5% reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide when using producing and using biodiesel fuel, compared to regular petroleum diesel. At least 4.5 energy units are gained for every 1 unit of energy used when producing a single gallon of biodiesel, giving it a positive energy balance.

With regular petroleum prices reaching record highs, while at the same time record lows are being recorded for the prices of agricultural commodities, it is obvious that there can and must be more done to use up the vegetable surpluses while at the same time giving a more enhanced energy security. Using conventional equipment and existing production capacity, the manufacture of biodiesel fuels makes sense. There is an opportunity within the biodiesel industry to assess the United States energy issues immediately.

Apart from the benefits listed above, there is the benefit of a car engine lasting longer when using biodiesel fuel because of the added lubrication a biodiesel fuel gives. Biodiesel gives less noise pollution also because of an increased cetane ignition rating. It is an affordable and clean alternative to use in heavy transportation as well as domestic cars. Couple this with the continuing rise of fuel prices internationally and it is predicted to become more and more popular within the driving community.