At the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo Ride-and-Drive this week, General Motors Alternative Fuels Marketing Manager Mike McGarry announced that GM is offering a Special Equipment Option on the 6.6L Duramax for B20 capability. Available to fleets on the GMC Savanna, Chevy Express Commercial Cutaway Van, Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty and GM Sierra Heavy Duty One Ton, production on the Special Equipment Option is limited to 200 vehicles per model line in 2007. McGarry also stated that GM is working to expand B20 capability in 2008. Conference attendees had an opportunity to drive the new Volkswagen Touareg, 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD, 2007 Dodge Ram 2500, 2007 Chevy Silverado Heavy Duty and 2007 Chevy Express Cargo Van. All of the manufacturer-supplied vehicles in the conference ride-and-drive were fueled with B5 – a blend of 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel – except the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram, which were fueled by B20. Biodiesel for the ride-and-drive was supplied by Organic Fuels Ltd. of Gelena Park, Texas. Organic Fuels is accredited under BQ-9000, an industry quality control program. In a speech at the conference on Monday, Deb Morrissett, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for the Chrysler Group, encouraged the biodiesel industry to continue the development of a national standard for B20. Morrissett also announced special pricing on biodiesel-blend capable products available to National Biodiesel Board members and their employees. DaimlerChrysler uses B5 as the factory fill for the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD and Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. Both vehicles are approved for B5. The 2007 Dodge Ram is also approved for B20 for commercial, government and military fleets which use military specification biodiesel fuel. Volkswagen approves the use of B5 and is testing B20 in several fleet vehicles. Most auto and engine manufacturers view the adoption of an ASTM International blended fuel specification as a key component for full, universal acceptance of B20.