The effect of fatty acid ethyl esters used as biodiesel fuel on power and ecological characteristics of diesel engine work has been studied. It is stated that such ethyl esters produced on the base of rapeseed oil provide the necessary performance of the engine, stability and regularity of engine work as well as the engine does not require the fuel injection system modification. Exhaust gases demonstrate lower CO, CO2, NOx and CH contents in comparison with pollutant emissions of methyl esters and mineral diesel fuel. It has been proved that reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions is due precisely to peculiarities of ethyl esters, but not to the ethanol additives. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.