March 20- one city in southern Brazil is planning to run more of its municipal fleet on an innovative homegrown biofuel designed to replace diesel entirely.
Nestled among rolling expanses of soybean farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the city of Passo Fundo is deploying a diesel alternative for its municipal fleet made from feedstocks including soy, animal fats and used oils.
Whereas traditional biodiesel is blended with petroleum-based diesel at a ratio of 15% in Brazil, the new fuel is designed to fully replace the fossil fuel in any vehicle that takes diesel, cutting carbon emissions and potentially reducing costs.
Be8, one of Brazil's biggest biodiesel firms, received regulatory approval in late 2024 to start producing the new fuel, called BeVant, in Passo Fundo, aiming initially to make 28 million liters (7.4 million gallons) annually.
BeVant is a so-called drop-in for the fossil fuel and can be used in regular diesel engines without needing modifications, Be8 said.
