California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard drives biodiesel use

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released 2018 data that shows the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is continuing to drive production of cleaner fuels for the transport sector.

According to CARB, almost 3.3 billion gallons of petroleum diesel have been replaced by cleaner low-carbon alternative fuels. The data also shows 100% compliance with the standard from fuel producers.

“Renewable and biodiesel, renewable natural gas, ethanol and electricity are all seeing growth under the LCFS,” said CARB executive officer Richard W. Corey. “Californians have the widest variety of cleaner low-carbon vehicles available anywhere in the country. The LCFS is catalysing investments in these cleaner alternative fuels, providing consumers with more choices and reducing emissions of toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases. These are key reasons why other states and nations are establishing similar programmes.”

CARB developed the LCFS programme to support a return to 1990 levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 2020, as required by the 2006 AB 32 climate bill. California achieved this goal ahead of schedule, in 2016.

Under SB 32, the goal of an additional 40% overall reduction of GHGs by 2030 has been implemented. In order to help California achieve this reduction, CARB has set a 2030 target for vehicle fuels of 20% lower carbon compared to current gasoline and diesel fuel.

Renewable liquid fuels, which includes renewable diesel and biodiesel, displaced over 568 million gallons of diesel in 2018, according to CARB figures.

The LCFS engages with other GHG reduction programmes in California to reduce emissions across the state. These include the cap-and-trade programme, the Advanced Clean Car programme and the Renewable Portfolio Standard.

The data can be accessed in full here.