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Utilization of biofuels to vehicles is attracting attention globally from viewpoints of preventing global warming, effectively utilizing the resources, and achieving the local invigoration. Representative examples are bioethanol and biodiesel. This study highlights biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in view of reducing greenhouse gas emission from heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Biodiesel is FAME obtained through ester exchange reaction by adding methanol to oil, such as rapeseed oil, soybean oil, palm oil, etc. As already reported, FAME has fuel properties different from conventional diesel fuel, resulting in about 10% increase in NOx emission [1],[2],[3]. Suppression of such increase in the NOx emission during operating with biodiesel requires adjustment of the combustion control technology, such as fuel injection control and EGR, to the use of biodiesel.

This paper describes the history of promotional activities in Japan for neat methanol fuel (M100) vehicles. Since the middle of the 1980s, Nippon Methanol Fueled Vehicles Co., Ltd. (now, Organization for the Promotion of Low Emission Vehicles (LEVO)), has been leasing M100 vehicles, and has conducted research work regarding these vehicles. LEVO has also been involved in infrastructure promotion for M100 vehicles, to ensure energy security and as a countermeasure against air pollution. As a result, as of March 1999, a total of 572 M100 vehicles had been leased to fleet operators. This more than 10 years of market experience with these vehicles has contributed toward convincing the Japanese Government, local governments and fleet operators of methanol's potential as an automotive fuel.

Widespread use of biofuels for automobiles would greatly reduce CO2 emissions and increase resource recycling, contributing to global environmental conservation. In fact, activities for expanding the production and utilization of biofuels are already proceeding throughout the world. For diesel vehicles, generally, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) made from vegetable oils is used as a biodiesel. In recent years, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) has also become increasingly popular. In addition, biomass to liquid (BTL) fuel, which can be made from any kinds of biomass by gasification and Fischer-Tropsch process, is expected to be commercialized in the future. On the other hand, emission regulations in each country have been tightened year by year. In accordance with this, diesel engines have complied with the regulations with advanced technologies such as common-rail fuel injection system, high pressure turbocharger, EGR and aftertreatment system.