After successful tests of bio-diesel fuel with the Indian railways, global automobile giants are now showing keen interest in the fuel in order to help power future generation cars. What’s more the fuel has been already successfully tried on two of Mercedes Benz' models with encouraging results.

The bio-diesel fuel for cars has been developed by Bhavnagar-based Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI).CSMCRI's bio-diesel developed from seeds of Jatropha plant had very similar properties to diesel (fossil fuel) and was is superior to other forms of bio-diesel developed in other countries.

Jatropha is an environment-friendly oilseed plant, which is used to produce bio-diesel. The Railways has successfully experimented running locomotives using jatropha-oil blended diesel.
Jatropha is a renewable resource. Emissions can be 60 % to 100% lower than with diesel and particulate matter 60 per cent less. Harmful constituents such as sulphur are not present at all.
 
The trial runs of Mercedes cars showed that the CSMCRI's bio-diesel did not require any engine modification and can smoothly power any vehicle.