Biodiesel stations in California

California: biodiesel rides along with renewable diesel

California's biodiesel map is really a Chevron map. Most listed stations are Chevron-branded sites selling a blend of roughly 80% renewable diesel and 20% biodiesel — a product that exists because of the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), which pays fuel suppliers for every gallon that's lower-carbon than petroleum diesel. Under LCFS, renewable diesel and biodiesel together now make up the majority of the diesel burned in the state.

That has two consequences for drivers. First, the “diesel” half of the B20 you buy here usually isn't petroleum at all, so the blend's carbon footprint is far lower than B20 elsewhere. Second, renewable diesel has no cold-weather or storage penalty, which offsets some of biodiesel's weaknesses. California's Air Resources Board also regulates blends above B5 under its Alternative Diesel Fuel rule to keep NOx in check, one reason retail blends stop at B20.

Tips for California drivers

• Sacramento and San Diego have the most stations; the Central Valley along CA-99 and I-5 is well covered for trucks (Love's and Pearson Fuels sites).
• If your manual says B5 only, look for pumps labeled R99 or “renewable diesel” instead — that fuel meets the ordinary diesel spec, ASTM D975. The AFDC map has a separate Renewable Diesel filter.

State incentives and mandates change. The current list for California is on the AFDC California laws and incentives page.