Diversifying Fleet Fuels with Diesel, Renewable Diesel, CNG, and More

Chevron, a major player in the fuel industry, is advising fleet operators to consider a diversified fuel strategy. Rather than committing to a single alternative fuel upfront, the company suggests building flexibility into your fuel options to lower lifecycle carbon intensity. Chevron offers a range of conventional and renewable fuel options, including petroleum diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG), and lubricants.

This diversified approach allows Chevron to provide tailored fuel solutions to its customers, helping them navigate strategic fuel decisions. The company has also built a network of collaborators across various industries, including Cummins for natural gas engine manufacturing and Optimus Technologies for aftermarket fuel-system technology.

Chevron's principal biofuels scientist, Dave Slade, emphasizes the importance of flexibility in fuel selection. He compares choosing the right fuel to selecting the right tool for the job, noting that the decision depends on factors such as equipment, location, goals, and budget. He stresses that quality is a top concern for customers, particularly when it comes to renewable diesel and biodiesel. Poorly processed fuels can cause fuel filter plugging or poor cold weather performance.

Fleet operators should carefully consider whether a fuel is formulated for their specific operating conditions. Chevron ensures that its fuel quality practices meet or exceed applicable specifications and offers fuel testing resources to help customers evaluate potential issues.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is another fuel option gaining attention. CNG can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and certain regulated air pollutants compared to diesel in certain engine applications. It may also offer price stability, as its retail price volatility has historically been lower than that of most petroleum fuels.

However, the upfront costs of converting a fleet to natural gas is a consideration for operators. Chevron addresses this by encouraging smaller, pilot projects to test benefits before committing to a full fleet conversion.

Chevron has collaborated with Cummins and Hexagon Agility to support customer education and demonstration efforts involving the Cummins X15N natural gas engine. This partnership aims to reduce uncertainty in evaluating the cost per mile and comparing CNG prices against current fuel spend.