Vegetable Methyl EsterVegetable methyl ester (VME), also known as biodiesel, is extracted from renewable resources. In Germany, rapeseed is often used for the extraction of biodiesel, which is why it has also become known as RME (rapeseed methyl ester) fuel. From an ecological point of view, VME represents a viable alternative to conventional diesel fuel as it is part of an enclosed CO2 cycle. This means that the plants absorb as much CO2 while they grow as is subsequently released again during combustion. Because biodiesel's composition differs from that of conventional diesel fuel, however, is cannot be used as a direct substitute for diesel without limitations. The largest stumbling block at the current time is that there is no uniform standard governing the quality and composition of biodiesel. Consequently, unconditional approval has not been granted for using biodiesel in Volkswagen vehicles. |
