Renewable diesel retail sales in California up 300%

Propel Fuels, a California-based fuel retailer, reports that Southern Califonia consumption of renewable diesel has increased three-fold.

Propel Fuels launched Diesel HPR (High Performance Renewable) across Southern California in August 2015, and consumer adoption of the fuel has risen 300% compared to its former biodiesel product (B20).

Propel's Diesel HPR is a low-carbon fuel that meets the ASTM D-976 petroleum diesel specifications for use in diesel engines while offering drivers better performance and lower emissions.

Performance features include a 75 cetane rating, which is 40% higher than regular diesel, Propel says.

According to the US Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center, renewable diesel's high combustion quality results in similar or better vehicle performance compared to conventional diesel.

California Air Resources Board studies further show that renewable diesel can reach up to 70% greenhouse gas reduction compared to petroleum diesel.

Diesel HPR improves local air quality due to the reduction of harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate (PM 2.5) emissions, according to Propel data.

NOx and particulate emissions are directly linked to air quality in California, negatively impacting children, people with lung diseases such as asthma, and people who work outside.

‘As new diesel models hit the market, drivers across California are moving towards low-carbon fuel options such as Diesel HPR,’ says Rob Elam, CEO of Propel.

Propel offers Diesel HPR at 32 locations across California in Los Angeles, Orange Country, San Diego, Inland Empire, Sacramento, Fresno and the Bay Area.