Renewable Diesel: Powering U.S. Trucking with Cleaner Fuel

The U.S. trucking industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but renewable diesel offers a near-term solution that’s both scalable and effective. Unlike biodiesel, renewable diesel is chemically identical to petroleum diesel, allowing it to be used in existing engines and infrastructure without blending limits.

Produced from waste fats, oils, and greases, renewable diesel can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 75%. It also burns cleaner, reducing particulate matter and NOx emissions—benefits that are especially important in urban areas with poor air quality.

California has led the way in adoption, thanks to its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), but other states like Oregon and Washington are following suit. Major fleets, including UPS and Amazon, are already using renewable diesel to meet sustainability goals.

Despite its promise, renewable diesel faces feedstock constraints and competition from other sectors like aviation. Expanding production will require diversifying feedstocks and improving supply chain logistics.

Still, for a sector that’s difficult to electrify at scale, renewable diesel offers a practical and immediate path to lower emissions.