Japan Makes 1st Biodiesel Fuel from Grass, Wood Chips

A government sponsored research in Japan has created the world's first diesel fuel from grass cuttings and wood chips. It has been doable for gasoline cars, but not for diesel vehicles…until now.

The Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) is aiming for commercial production within three years. RITE has been working on this and similar projects since

1990.

Biofuel is key to cutting greenhouse gases emitted from diesel engines. Thecost for producing butanol or biobutanol is expected to be the same as that for bioethanol made for gasoline-powered cars.

BP Plc of the U.K., DuPont of the U.S., are RITE's chief competitors.

"Honey, can you cut the grass so I can fill up the car, please?"