Another West Coast fleet has decided to switch to renewable diesel for its fleet vehicles. The City of Corvallis, Ore., will begin using renewable diesel this summer for one-third of its fleet. By switching to renewable diesel for about 40 vehicles, the city expects to reduce fleet greenhouse gas emissions by about 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
The new R-99 renewable diesel fuel is made from vegetable oils and animal fats. Previously, the city used a fuel bend containing 50% petroleum diesel and 50% renewable diesel, a blend known as R-50. Prior to that, the city used biodiesel.
The city used about 136,000 gallons of diesel in 2015, and fuel usage is on the rise as bus transit usage has increased. The cost premium to switch over to renewable diesel averages 12 cents per gallon, but the city expects that cost to come down as more communities and organizations drive demand for this new fuel type.
The decision comes after many months of testing and evaluation by Fleet Supervisor Bob Fenner. He found that, in addition to the power and efficiency savings, the new fuel also contributed to a 10% reduction in fuel system maintenance through fewer clogged filters and fuel lines, according to the city.
Other fleets that have recently made the switch to renewable diesel include: the City of Long Beach, Calif., Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) in Oregon, the City of San Francisco, the City of Portland, Ore., the City of Oakland, Calif., and the City of Walnut Creek, Calif.
