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Biodiesel push leaves trucks prone to engine failure, breakdowns
The blend has been known to cause rapid engine heating, increased corrosion and accelerated wear.
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Trucks carrying coal stand out in a traffic gridlock on a highway connecting Sarolangun and Muara Tembesi, Batanghari, Jambi, March 1, 2023. The daily congestion has been blamed on the authorities’ reluctance to ban coal trucks from the national highway. (Antara/Wahdi Septiawan)
T
he use of biodiesel in commercial vehicles has led to significant engine performance issues, shedding light on the practical consequences of the policy on the automotive sector.
Hino Motors Sales Indonesia chief operating officer (COO) Santiko Wardoyo said the use of biodiesel had led to rapid engine heating, increased corrosion and accelerated wear, making engines more prone to breakdowns.
Currently, Indonesia mandates a biodiesel mixture consisting of 35 percent palm oil-derived fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and the rest of conventional diesel oil, known as B35.
“The negative conditions will be even more severe if the biodiesel content is further increased, for example from 35 to 40 or even 50 percent,” said Santiko on Thursday, as quoted from Bisnis.
The biodiesel use has also resulted a jelly-like residue that can clog fuel filters and shorten engine lifespans, he added.
“Implementing biodiesel with a higher plant-based content requires more advanced technology to minimize the residual jelly,” Santiko emphasized.
Read also: Pertamina’s proposed biofuel may risk food security, state budget: Critics
