Can I hire people with vehicles that run on Bio-Diesel or people with dielsel vehicle and cover the cost of conversion to bio-diesel on their vehicles (with their aproval of course)? I would not want to hire employees without bio-diesel vehicles.

Reson being I am running a small business which is environmentally concious in the services we provide. I would like to expand that into the daily tansprotation from customers homes by using bio-diesel to fuel our commute.

Being a small business purchasing company vehicles is not an option.

So can I hire people with bio-diesel or diesel vehicles (plus conversion) only?

It would appear you need an attorney versed in discrimination suits.

I am very hesitant to say it is OK. I have seen some personal companies do what they - but it depends on the federal, state, and civil laws as well.

Take The Old Sarge's advice and ask a local attorney that is versed in those matters

amazingly enough, today I attended the earth day event in Pasadena, California where a few presenters were showing the benefits of bio-diesel cars. There were charging around $700 for the conversion.

The option looked good, given the high prices of gas, but I found it a bit inconvenient for people that communite a lot, due to the lack of stations, but that could just be me, the folks that support this stuff may have a zillion reasons to show why it is better to go the bio-diesel way.

It actually would be very difficult finding an all bio-diesel work force. Just a thought though. I am thinking of rather offering a bonus maybe for field employees that qualify. I think that would make things a lot easier, what do you guys think?

Probably a bonus would be easier / better. Just make sure that you can afford it. More and more people might be converting if gas prices continue to rise

You can legally do this...but I personally believe it is better to hire great people and worry about the bio-d when your company can afford to purchase or upgrade the cars.

I don't believe that it costs anything extra to use bio diesel, other than the fact that bio diesel is more expensive than regular diesel.

The conversion kit that was spoken of here, I believe, is in reference to using vegetable oil, or fryolator oil. This requires a conversion, as the oil must be heated before it is suitable to burn. The vehicle must be started on regular or bio-diesel, and then switched to vegetable or fryolator oil. It must then be switched back before being shut down, so that it can re-start.

Bio diesel is primarily a soy bean based fuel, and is very limitted in availability, and is generally more expensive than regular diesel. It does lubricate injection pumps better, and has some other benefits.

I don't think discrimination laws apply here, because nowhere in the equal employment opportunity act does it say that you can not discriminate due to "fuel useage." Probably wouldn't hurt to check with a lawyer.