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emissions solutions

biodiesel helps cities lower emissions

2 min read | february 04, 2025

Municipal fleets can operate on lower carbon intensity fuel options.

About two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions come from urban areas. As a result, many cities are working toward ambitious lower carbon emissions goals in the coming years or decades. But one hurdle many cities face is the carbon intensity of their heavy-duty vehicles, such as garbage trucks and snowplows.

Enter Jon Scharingson. He’s the executive director of strategic initiatives for Chevron Renewable Energy Group. After more than a decade in the renewable fuels space, he knew there was a lower carbon intensity way to fuel essential fleets.

Scharingson has been working with Optimus Technologies on engine modifications that can allow trucks to run on 100% biodiesel—a lower carbon intensity fuel made from fats and oils such as soybean oil, canola oil and used cooking oil.

“We’ve been working together for several years and have seen a rise in adoption,” he said. “It has been an exciting collaboration because many cities are working to reduce the intensity of their emissions, and we believe this technology has helped to make an impact.”

Chevron Renewable Energy Group biodiesel plant

Chevron Renewable Energy Group biodiesel plants can produce B100 fuel.

fueling the future

Biodiesel blends have been around for decades. They’re made from things such as used cooking oil and byproducts of the agricultural industry. The most common blend, called B20, contains as much as 20% biodiesel mixed with traditional diesel. The more biodiesel a blend has, the lower its carbon intensity is.

Once modified, a city’s trucks can run on B100—a 100% biodiesel.

“Many cities have electrification plans for the future. B100 is a solution that would reduce the carbon intensity of municipal fleets now,” Scharingson said.

why it matters

The International Energy Agency has identified biofuels as important to reaching lower carbon goals. These fuels can make an impact today because cities don’t have to wait for other technologies and vehicles to enter the market before using them.

Tax incentives and supportive policies may make it easier to bring biofuels like B100 to city fleets.

biodiesel by the numbers

the U.S. produces and uses about

1.7
billion

gallons of biodiesel per year (as of 2023)

the U.S. inflation reduction act provides

$9.4 billion

in biofuel investment support through 2030

icon of a forward-facing semi-truck

B100 lifecycle emissions are

74%
lower

than those of petroleum diesel

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