Optimus Technologies, a Pittsburg-based biodiesel conversion company that allows trucks to run on B100 (100 percent biodiesel), gave a detailed presentation at MSGA’s board meeting Wednesday in Mankato, Minn.

“This approach offers fleets an easy way to reduce fuel costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions and address renewable fuel targets,” says MSGA President Mike Petefish. “This is impressive technology.”

Optimus CEO Colin Huwyler and Engineering Manager Jon Ewing brought a demo truck to MSGA’s parking lot and demonstrated to the MSGA board how they convert to biodiesel and run on B100.

“It takes about five to 10 minutes for the engine to build temperature and reach optimal threshold before it starts running B100 from there on,” Ewing says, adding colder temps may require more time for conversion. If the biodiesel runs out, the engine automatically switches back to diesel. Huwyler also reports no difference in fuel efficiency or performance.

Optimus currently has 26 refuse and recycling trucks operating in the city of Pittsburgh on their municipal fleet. Huwlyer says One of Optimus’ trucking clients in Georgia reports saving a dollar per gallon by using biodiesel.

“Our technology is a really inexpensive way for cities to reduce their carbon emissions,” Huwyler says. “We fully believe in the environmental and economic benefits of biodiesel.”