Diesel mechanics in the Midwest are getting some valuable training on how to work on engines using biodiesel. The Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) points out the training was held at the group’s headquarters thanks to a U.S. Department of Energy grant for the Biodiesel for Diesel Technicians program, a long-term investment in ensuring consumer confidence in domestically produced biodiesel.
“Educating diesel technicians on biodiesel is mission-critical to biodiesel becoming fully entrenched in our domestic fuel supply,” said Randy Olson, executive director of IBB. “We’ve learned from other industries that having the mechanic on board makes a huge difference in consumer acceptance of a newer fuel.”
The National Biodiesel Board, in partnership with IBB, developed the diesel technician program to prepare diesel technicians to better advise customers and other technicians about impacts of using biodiesel and blends in different equipment.
Topics covered in the trainings include:
Biodiesel’s benefits
Fuel quality
Vehicle maintenance
Engine and fleet performance
Exhaust after-treatment with biodiesel
“These instructors will take new knowledge of biodiesel back to their schools, where they then have the opportunity to educate hundreds of mechanics over time,” said Stephanie Weisenbach, Iowa’s Clean Cities Coordinator. “We’re proud to be a part of this effort, which is a great fit with the Clean Cities mission of reducing petroleum consumption in transportation.”
The Biodiesel for Diesel Technicians program has been around since 2009, and this particular session trained mechanics from Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. The program is Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) accredited.