Renewable Diesel at This Pump
A high-performance, drop-in diesel fuel made from renewable feedstocks.
It is not biodiesel.
What is it?
Renewable diesel is made from renewable fats and oils and refined into hydrocarbons that are chemically similar to petroleum diesel.
Can I use it?
Renewable diesel meets the ASTM D975 diesel-fuel specification and can be used as a drop-in fuel without modifying engines or fueling equipment. Always follow the fuel requirements in your owner’s manual.
Why use it?
Renewable diesel offers high cetane, cleaner combustion, very low sulfur and aromatic content, and lower lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions.
Seasonal Blend
The renewable diesel content at this pump may vary seasonally to support cold-weather performance. Check the pump label for the blend currently being offered.
Renewable Diesel in Two Minutes
Get a quick introduction to renewable diesel, how it is produced and how it differs from petroleum diesel and biodiesel.
Explore Renewable Diesel
Renewable diesel is already being used in passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, generators and other diesel-powered equipment.
High Cetane
Renewable diesel typically has a substantially higher cetane number than conventional petroleum diesel.
Cleaner Combustion
Its low aromatic content can reduce soot formation and the amount of particulate matter entering a diesel particulate filter.
Lower Lifecycle Emissions
Lifecycle greenhouse-gas reductions vary according to the feedstock, production process and transportation pathway.
Drop-In Fuel
Renewable diesel can use existing diesel engines, storage tanks, pumps and fueling infrastructure.
Renewable Feedstocks
Feedstocks can include vegetable oils, animal fats, used cooking oil and other renewable fats and oils.
Potential Maintenance Benefits
Some fleets report fewer DPF regenerations and related maintenance issues. Results vary by engine, duty cycle and fuel blend.
Fuel Property Comparison
| Property | Petrodiesel | Biodiesel (FAME) | Renewable Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cetane Number | 40–55 | 50–65 | 75–90 |
| Energy Density (MJ/kg) | 43 | 38 | 44 |
| Oxidative Stability | Baseline | Poor | Excellent |
| Sulfur Content | <15 ppm | <10 ppm | ≈0 ppm |
| Lifecycle Emissions | Baseline | 10–50% lower | 50–80% lower |
| Aromatics / Impurities | 20–30% | None | None |
Typical values shown. Actual properties and lifecycle emissions vary by feedstock, production pathway and fuel specification.
Common Questions
How does renewable diesel perform in cold weather?
Renewable diesel, like petroleum diesel, must be formulated and managed for local winter temperatures. Suppliers may adjust the renewable diesel concentration, blend it with winter-grade petroleum diesel or petroleum diesel containing cold-flow treatments. Note: most cold flow additives do not work with Renewable diesel.
This is why the blend offered at this pump may change throughout the year.
Is renewable diesel the same as biodiesel?
No. Renewable diesel and biodiesel may use similar feedstocks, but they are produced differently and have different chemical and fuel properties.
Renewable diesel is a hydrocarbon fuel meeting ASTM D975. Biodiesel is an oxygen-containing fuel meeting ASTM D6751 and is commonly blended at percentages such as B5 or B20.
Will renewable diesel affect my warranty?
Renewable diesel sold as finished diesel fuel in the United States meets ASTM D975, the same specification used for petroleum diesel. Manufacturers may identify it as renewable diesel, RD, HVO, XTL or paraffinic diesel.
Always follow the fuel requirements in your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer if its guidance is unclear.
Maintenance Benefits of Renewable Diesel
Learn how cetane, aromatic content and soot formation can affect combustion, diesel particulate filters, regeneration frequency and fleet maintenance.
Actual results vary by engine, duty cycle, maintenance history and renewable diesel blend.
Join the Renewable Diesel Working Group
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities hosts a free monthly forum for fleets, fuel suppliers, equipment operators, researchers and anyone interested in renewable diesel.
Meetings feature fleet experiences, technical discussions, market updates, cold-weather information and presentations from renewable diesel producers and users.
Questions About Renewable Diesel?
Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities can help fleets, fuel providers and equipment operators evaluate renewable diesel.
Jesse Therien
Montana Project Manager
jesse@ytcleancities.org
