Albania Economia
BiodieselKit: The Patented Technology Enabling Heavy Vehicles to Convert Quickly and Economically to Green Fuel
With over one billion vehicles worldwide, the transport sector contributes 16% of global emissions.
The startup ReFuel Solutions, with its BiodieselKit, provides a simple and effective solution for diesel vehicles: reducing CO₂ emissions by 80% and particulate matter (the most harmful to health) by 60%, extending vehicle lifespans, avoiding the premature retirement of functioning vehicles, generating economic savings by reducing the need to purchase new vehicles, and enabling the reuse of waste cooking oils.
We spoke with Rexhina Saraci, Co-Founder of ReFuel Solutions.
Rexhina, how did the idea for the BiodieselKit come about?
As engineers—and as young professionals—we have always had hands-on expertise in the mobility sector. This, combined with our immersion in the Motor Valley industrial ecosystem, prompted us to explore, beyond the well-known trends, the fastest, most economical, and impactful way to address the urgent need to decarbonize a challenging and influential sector such as heavy road transport.
Has such a high-impact idea for the economy and environment attracted major investors? Which ones?
After a few attempts, we realized that for a hardware startup like ours, with such high initial development costs, we could not rely on the usual services offered to startups in Italy. Initially, we also faced a communication gap with investors, since this sector was entirely unexplored and seemingly countertrend.
So we turned to those around us in the Motor Valley, where we found many people who not only believe in the idea enough to invest but also spontaneously take an active role, whether in engineering or helping structure this new company.
One of our main investors is Feel Venture, a London-based VC fund that supports startups with Italian founders worldwide. We aligned with them from the very beginning, and they are primarily helping us enter the U.S. market.
Can any diesel vehicle run on biodiesel?
Potentially, all diesel engines can run on biodiesel using our technology. We are currently focusing on vehicles where BiodieselKit is the only path to greening: trucks and buses in Europe and the U.S., and power generators in India.
As for R&D, we plan to expand later to boats, trains, agricultural machinery, and construction vehicles. The only vehicles we will not target initially are private cars, for which many diesel alternatives already exist. However, private cars were useful in the prototype phase to demonstrate the technology’s feasibility.
How is the BiodieselKit installed on the engine, and what does it cost?
Our product is aftermarket, installed quickly and non-invasively on the vehicle. Even in tight engine compartments, installation takes less than a working day.
Costs vary depending on the vehicle type, age, and sector. The kit is modular and can include custom components. Considering current material constraints, a BiodieselKit for generators costs between €5,000 and €10,000, while for heavy vehicles it ranges from €10,000 to €20,000. The technology’s cost remains a major strength: it greens the existing vehicle while saving fuel. In the U.S., for example, the investment can be recouped in less than two years.
What is the main challenge for the coming months?
Now that the engineering is fully operational, producing the first pre-series by year-end, we need to select the very first companies to install our innovative technology. We already have several candidates, especially in Italy and Poland, and more requests keep coming in. Perhaps the biggest challenge is keeping up with demand, so we are expanding our team to bring in new talent. If I may, I’ll throw out an appeal for CVs! It’s truly exhilarating to have the responsibility and honor of building a team.
How do biodiesel availability, cost, and legislation affect BiodieselKit’s market success? Which countries are most favorable for launch?
There are places like Europe, where biodiesel is widely produced but not yet economically competitive. Many fleets have already requested our kit to be ready when the economic framework allows full adoption.
Then there are countries where biodiesel is tax-exempt and cheaper than diesel, thanks to strict sustainability policies—but where our product is still missing. This includes several U.S. states, where we will launch BiodieselKit next year.
A major opportunity has also emerged in India, where, in addition to lower biodiesel prices, there is a critical environmental need: commercial and service activities rely heavily on diesel generators, making urban air highly polluted. Our solution could have a significant impact in densely populated areas.
ReFuel Solutions is already valued at €10 million. Is your goal to make it global? How?
The valuation reflects the enormous potential of an undervalued market. It is high for a startup just one year old, but it allowed us to raise investments aimed at opening these markets.
Given the complexity of this business, we are surrounding ourselves with people who not only advise on organizational aspects but also have experience expanding in these countries. The strategy has always been clear, but operating in such diverse economies and cultures requires constant feedback. We have finally found the right people who are moving mountains to help us take off globally.
