First Jeep Liberty Diesel Tankfuls Will Be Bio Fuel

Motor, Dec 2004 by Nash, Tom

Each new 2005 Jeep Liberty Common Rail Diesel (CRD) sport/utility vehicle rolling off the assembly line will be fueled with 5% biodiesel (B5). Biodiesel fuel is produced from vegetable oil-in this case, soybeans grown in Ohio, the home state of the Jeep Liberty plant in Toledo.

"This is an important first step in encouraging wider use of these clean, renewable, environmentally friendly fuels in the United States," said Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group President and CEO. It will not be required or necessary for owners to use B5 to operate or maintain these vehicles.

The Jeep Liberty diesel, the first diesel-powered midsize SUV to be offered in this country, will be powered with a 2.8L four-cylinder engine and equipped with an automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive capability.

In addition to a 30% reduction in fuel consumption, diesel engines also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 20% compared with gasoline engines, Zetsche noted. "With biodiesel, we can increase these benefits even further. And because biodiesel is made from renewable resources, we further reduce our dependence on petroleum for our transportation needs," he said.

The company is working with the biodiesel and petroleum industries, government and standards-setting organizations to establish standards for biodiesel manufacture and use.

Biodiesel blends of up to 5% concentration are available in public fueling stations at certain locations across the country, particularly in areas with substantial soybean farming. B5 fuels are already widely used in Chrysler Group diesel engine vehicles in Europe. Next year, 2% biodiesel (B2) will be required for all diesel fuel in Minnesota, and Missouri and Delaware are considering similar mandates.