Choosing the Right Fuel Is Like Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

by Matt Herr (Freight Waves) Chevron’s suite of fuels simplifies fuel decisions -- In the December 1 episode of Net-Zero Carbon, Dave Slade, principal biofuels scientist at Chevron, sat down with host Mary O’Connell to discuss how fleets can incorporate lower carbon intensity fuels into their fuel portfolio.

As the supply chain grows ever more complex, there are advantages to having diversity in fuel supply. Fleets have multiple fuel options available to them, including petroleum diesel, renewable diesel, biodiesel, natural gas, and hydrogen.

“The strategic advantages boil down to flexibility, especially for organizations with a lower carbon intensity goal,” Slade said.

The more flexible diesel fuel users can be with their decisions, the more options they can access on the marketplace depending on price, availability, or even time of year. Incorporating lower carbon intensity fuels brings diversity into the fuel supply that can be advantageous in a variety of situations.

Some fleets, Slade says, are already using B10 diesel blends (10% biodiesel), but use a higher blend when cost-effective. This can save on overall operational costs and it can also help a company make more progress toward lower carbon intensity goals.

Many fleets’ fuel blending decisions are driven by time of year and by their comfort level running biodiesel or renewable diesel in colder temperatures.

Determining what blends you need can be tricky for fleets who don’t have a lot of experience with this topic. One thing a company can do in choosing the best fuel for their operation is to start with a fuel provider who can help them work through that question.

“Choosing the right fuel is like choosing the right tool for the job,” Slade said. “It depends on your equipment, location, goals, and budget. All of these things play a role in which fuel is going to be the best fit for your operation.”

Biodiesel and renewable diesel are what the industry calls direct replacement fuels, and all engine manufacturers have approved those for use at some blend level. There are opportunities to use higher blends, even up to B100 (100% biodiesel).

“We have worked with a company called Optimus Technologies for many years to provide a fuel heating system that can be added to your fuel tank,” Slade said. “It heats B100 to prevent gelling and allow B100 to be used in cold conditions, like the upper-midwest in the dead of winter.”

If your company is working toward lower carbon intensity goals, renewable natural gas (RNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG), and hydrogen are another lower carbon intensity fuels to consider. These fuels can provide lower life-cycle carbon emissions depending on how they’re produced and offer another potential fuel solution.

Because natural gas vehicles require specific engines, many of Chevron’s customers start by purchasing a few natural gas trucks to test the benefits of RNG and CNG without committing to a full fleet conversion. This allows them to take advantage of lower fuel costs while maintaining flexibility.

Chevron works with Cummins to provide a demo program to customers to trial CNG trucks that are equipped with Cummins’ new X15N natural gas engine. Fleets can test this equipment for up to two weeks to get a feel for the truck and their refueling options before deciding to make a purchase.

On the hydrogen side, Chevron works with OneH2 to bring mobile hydrogen refueling trailers to customers so they can fuel on-location in the California market. This approach is more convenient for hydrogen customers while also simplifying refueling, as hydrogen may not be readily available at fuel stations.

Chevron has helped thousands of customers adopt various lower carbon intensity fuels. PepsiCo, for instance, is using B100 to lower their lifecycle carbon emissions. PepsiCo has carbon intensity reduction goals and a nationwide footprint, and B100 has been a great fit for their fleet.

There are some additional considerations if a fleet wants to go all the way up to B100, and Chevron is happy to discuss those with customers who are interested in that option.

Chevron works with customers who use a variety of blend levels. For example, in central Iowa several customers use B30 to take advantage of a state tax incentive, but Slade has seen customers have great success with the B30 blend for years.

Although alternative fuels such as biodiesel have been available on the market for many years, some customers still have questions about quality. Chevron understands that customer equipment is expensive and that keeping it operational with minimal downtime is a high priority.

Poorly processed biodiesel or renewable diesel can cause issues such as fuel filter plugging or poor cold weather performance. Removing impurities from the finished fuel during production is crucial for preventing those issues from arising.

Unfortunately, not all producers are equally good at getting impurities out of their fuel, so it’s vital to know where your fuel is coming from. Slade advises customers to ask about fuel properties and not assume it’s made for cold weather, or to work alongside a provider to figure out those issues as you go.

“At Chevron, we strive to go above and beyond industry minimums because we know our customers expect more,” Slade said. “Our rigorous production processes deliver high quality, lower carbon intensity fuels.”

Should issues arise with Chevron fuel or even with fuel you purchased from another entity, Chevron offers complementary fuel testing services to help you get to the bottom of the issue. This service helps customers get more comfortable with these fuels, and in the long run that helps everyone in the industry.

Chevron has decades of experience with petroleum diesel production, lubricant production, and within the last couple of decades, lower carbon intensity fuel production.

“When it’s time to buy, keep in mind that Chevron is the only major fuel provider that offers lubricants and a full suite of fuel solutions,” Slade said. “We’ve helped thousands of customers simplify their strategic decisions and operations, and we’d be happy to help you.”

Beyond what Chevron can offer, Slade says that they have a number of strategic relationships that can offer additional expertise to customers. Chevron has working relationships across the fleet, rail, marine, and heavy equipment industries to bring customers the solutions they’re looking for.