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Biodiesel blends are promising alternatives to diesel fuel, but, reduced quantitative information is available on the impact of biodiesel on engine systems behaviour, durability and economical aspects in fleet cost management. A representative sample of urban buses fuelled with B50 was compared with the same type of vehicle fuelled with conventional petroleum fuel. The objective was to assess the effects of B50 upon important parameters such as: fuel consumption, power loss and drivability; the effects on the fuel system and engine oil and the implications regarding the maintenance programme. These implications could be very relevant upon a fleet manager's decision to select biodiesel as an alternative fuel. The results obtained show that there was no difference in the serviceability of the buses fuelled with B50 compared with those fuelled with petroleum diesel fuel, and additionally, no change in the maintenance programme was required for this type of B50 fuel.