The newest breed of Dodge Ram comes factory-fueled with biodiesel.

Under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis Tuesday, representatives from the National Biodiesel Board and Daimler-Chrysler announced that every 2007 Dodge Ram diesel coming off the assembly line at the company’s Fenton, Missouri north plant will be fueled with B5, a blend containing 5 percent biodiesel made from soybeans grown in the U.S. (read full release)

According to Reginald Modlin, Director of Environmental Affairs for Daimler Chrysler, delivering their diesel vehicles fueled with biodiesel is a first step in educating customers about the advantages of the fuel.

“We want to have our diesel products seen as environmentally-responsible products, which they are,” said Modlin. “We have also seen the public taking a great interest in renewable fuels, so we see a great opportunity here for manufacturers to get the word out that biofuels help reduce greenhouse gases and emissions over all. In addition, the natural lubricity of biodiesel actually helps us with engine maintenance. So, it’s an all around win for our customers.”

“What Chrysler is doing is advocating biodiesel blends in this advanced diesel technology,”said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, the industry’s nonprofit trade association. “They were the first to promote the use of B20 for fleets in the Dodge Ram. They are really leading the way in terms of promoting energy conservation and renewable energy.”

Listen to my interview with Reg Modlin here: Reg Modlin (5 min MP3)

Listen to my interview with Joe Jobe here: Joe Jobe (5 min MP3)