B50 biodiesel mandate takes effect, minimal impact on vehicles, says expert
The government will begin implementing regulations regarding the use of B50 biodiesel, a fuel blend consisting of 50 per cent biodiesel and 50 per cent solar, starting 1 July 2026.
Automotive expert Yannes Martinus Pasaribu stated that the use of B50 will not cause significant changes to diesel vehicles that have already been using B40, which is a blend of 40 per cent palm-based biodiesel and 60 per cent solar.
“Because Indonesia has been implementing B40 for more as than a year, the solvent effect of B50 in cleaning old deposits in tanks and pipelines has significantly decreased,” said the researcher from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) when contacted from Jakarta on Wednesday.
The researcher, who focuses on automotive design and ecosystem research, explained that vehicles that have adapted to B40 will not need to clean extensive fuel deposits when transitioning to B50.
Regarding the environmental impact of B50 biodiesel, Yannes noted that vehicles using this type of fuel will produce lower gas emissions.
“From an emissions perspective, B50 is still better as it produces lower carbon monoxide and smoke; however, although not significantly, B50 is slightly more fuel-intensive because it has a lower calorific value,” he said.
“However, overall, the performance of B50 is not much different from B40 for well-maintained vehicles,” he added.
According to him, vehicles that have gone through the stages of using B30 and B40 do not require extensive cleaning of deposits when switching to B50. Therefore, fuel filters do not need to be replaced immediately at the start of use.
Yannes advised diesel vehicle users to follow the periodic filter replacement recommendations provided by manufacturers. However, for older vehicles, filter replacements may need to be performed more frequently.
He also recommended that diesel vehicle owners regularly check the condition of seals and rubber components, as B50 biodiesel possesses slightly more aggressive properties.
Additionally, Yannes emphasised the importance of maintaining fuel tank cleanliness, avoiding long-term storage of B50, and regularly utilising service from workshops that understand biodiesel usage.
“With consistent normal maintenance, diesel vehicles can use B50 safely and optimally,” he said.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Dwi Anggia, previously stated that the B50 usage regulations are ready for implementation across all sectors.
Trials for the use of B50 fuel have been conducted on various types of vehicles and equipment, including ships, trains, mining vehicles, heavy machinery, and agricultural tools.