Businesses looking to follow environmentally friendly initiatives might consider alternative fuels to power trucks, cars, buses, and other vehicles. Alternative fuels are derived from biomass or other renewable resources to reduce emissions released into the air. Many people are surprised to find that alternative fuels are cost-effective
What types of alternative fuels are appropriate for your applications? SC Fuels describes some of the most common alternative transportation fuels taking over the industry, most of which are produced here in the United States.
Biodiesel Fuels
Biodiesel fuels utilize vegetable oils, used cooking oil, and animal fats in the production process. If you see the term “biodiesel” on a gas pump, this label is a quick indicator that the fuel grade contains less petroleum than standard diesel fuel. Biodiesel is a diesel alternative fuel that uses a percentage of organic waste to create a fuel type. A transesterification treatment process blends vegetable oils, cooking oils, or animal fats methanol, or ethanol to form a product that gives off fewer carbon emissions. You can think of biodiesel fuels as a product blended with petroleum-based products. However, there are different blends available based on the type of vehicle you drive. Biodiesel fuels are produced in various concentrations alongside petroleum-based diesel.
You can think of biodiesel fuels as a product blended with petroleum-based products. However, there are different blends available based on the type of vehicle you drive. Biodiesel fuels are produced in various concentrations alongside petroleum-based diesel.
This diesel alternative fuel type follows a letter and numbering system to know how much biodiesel is present in a mixture. For example, a B20 blend has 20% biodiesel ingredients, while the remainder is conventional petroleum.
Biodiesel fuels are produced in concentrations as high as B100 (pure biodiesel).
Renewable Diesel Fuels
Renewable diesel is commonly known as a green biofuel. It represents another diesel alternative fuel that aims to replace petroleum-based diesel products in the transportation industry. Shipping companies and carriers look to renewable diesel fuels since these solutions meet the ASTM D975 standards for diesel fuel in the United States. Rather than being produced through transesterification methods like biodiesel fuels, renewable diesel is made through a similar process as petroleum diesel and undergoes hydrotreating.
Renewable diesel is produced from animal fats, plant oils, and used cooking oils. Biomass materials undergo hydrotreating, gasification, hydrothermal processing, and other forms of treatment to be used in diesel engines. One significant distinction of renewable diesel fuels is that they are chemically the same as petroleum diesel. However, they meet low carbon fuel standards. Renewable diesel can power conventional auto engines without being blended with diesel fuel produced from crude oils. Renewable diesel is 100% compatible with existing engines and infrastructure.
Ethanol
Ethanol makes our list of alternative transportation fuels since the solutions include corn and plant materials with fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Like biodiesel fuels, ethanol blends are categorized by a specific letter and numbering system. The letter “E” followed by a number tells fleet management personnel how much ethanol is in a gasoline or diesel mixture. For example, an E10 blend contains 10% ethanol.
Based on the Alternative Fuels Data Center reports, nearly 98% of all gasoline sold in the U.S. contains ethanol.
Benefits of Alternative Fuels for Transportation
New fuel types provide a wide range of benefits for business owners and commercial fleets. Aside from cost savings and controlling emissions, alternative diesel fuels offer numerous advantages, as they:
- Lower your reliance on imported fuels.
- Provide lubricative properties in some formulations.
- Prioritize fuel efficiency and performance.
- Are widely available in the U.S.
- Lower carbon footprint
Trust SC Fuels for Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Delivery Services
If you operate out of the Western United States, SC Fuels wants to help you find the alternative fuel sources you require for success. Our family-owned and -operated company delivers biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels to businesses in California and the surrounding states. Rely on our team with over 90 years of experience in competitive pricing and reliable service.
Contact us online for further details about what we can do for you.
