Kansas University will lose one of its more infamous trademarks this fall.

The black clouds of exhaust smoke that long have billowed from the tailpipes of KU on Wheels buses should be a thing of the past, thanks to an eco-friendly fuel the system is adopting.

“Students shouldn’t have to get a lungful of black diesel fumes every time a bus goes by,” said Jeff Dunlap, student body vice president. “This will beautify campus and be good for the environment.”

The student-run bus system will join just a handful of systems nationwide using biodiesel fuel.

The fuel to be used in KU buses is 20 percent biodiesel, which is derived from a soy-based product, mixed with traditional diesel. According to the National Biodiesel Board, the fuel produces 50 percent less hydrocarbon emissions and 78 percent less carbon dioxide emissions than traditional petroleum.

“It does dramatically reduce, if not eliminate, the black smoke that is seen out of many diesel engines,” said Dennis Hupe, director of field services for the Kansas Soybean Commission.

Hupe said extending use of biodiesel could boost soybean production in Kansas. Most of the pure biodiesel used in the state comes from Iowa and is mixed with petroleum diesel in other locations.

However, Kansas boasts the first refinery in the nation that allows trucks to load up with mixed biodiesel fuel. The refinery is in McPherson.

A drawback to the eco-friendly fuel is cost. Biodiesel fuel costs from 18 cents to 22 cents more per gallon than traditional diesel. Dunlap said the Student Senate Transportation Board, which runs KU on Wheels, is negotiating with Capitol City Oil in Topeka for a reduced cost. The switchover, however, is not expected to affect fares.

While the short-term costs to the system will rise, there may be long-term benefits.

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“A lot of companies are finding out they can extend oil-change intervals and there’s less wear and tear on their engines,” Hupe said. “Over time, it offsets the cost of the biodiesel.”

No special modifications must be made to prepare the buses for using the new fuel.

KU administrators also are considering using the biodiesel fuel for some of their motor pool vehicles and other equipment that require diesel fuel. Jim Long, vice provost for facilities planning and management, said the university used about 22,000 gallons of diesel fuel a year.

He said officials would decide soon whether to pursue the biodiesel fuel. Considerations include cost and the possibility that switching to a new fuel could void some warranties on vehicles and equipment.

“We have a serious concern there, that we want to be good to our environment,” Long said. “We’re working on it, taking a strong look at it and doing our homework.”

Nationally, about 10 university bus systems operate on biodiesel fuel, Hupe said. Those include Ohio State University, University of North Carolina, Harvard University and Purdue University.

Hupe said three Kansas school districts, including Hays, used biodiesel.

Though the biodiesel fuel may be the wave of the future, don’t expect either the Lawrence Transit System or Lawrence public schools to get on the bus anytime soon.

“We’ve listened to the conversations about biodiesel,” said Karin Rexroad, public transit administrator for the city. “There are a lot of costs associated with switching to the biodiesel. At this point, there are not immediate plans to do anything.”

Rick Gammill, director of safety, transportation and special operations for the school district, agreed.

“From an environmental standpoint, we’d certainly be willing to look into it,” Gammill said. “But we have to be cost conscious, too. The biodiesel is quite a bit more expensive than the normal diesel fuel.”

KU on Wheels runs more than 25 buses a day on 15 routes. It provides transportation mainly between areas heavily populated with students and campus when classes are in session.