Propel Biofuels Making Ethanol and Biodiesel Refueling Easier

There's an oddly singular focus in Washington DC these days on electric drive. But what’s holding up the widespread use of ‘green’ alternative fuels like biodiesel and E85, especially in states like California that have long been at the leading edge of alternative fuel vehicle efforts? It’s definitely not the technology. Right now, there are millions of flexible-fuel vehicles already on American roads that can use the industry-standard E85 mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Also, most vehicles with a diesel engine can use biodiesel – especially lower blends like B5, B10, and even B20 – although owner’s manuals should always be consulted first.

The major challenge is in the surprisingly small number of stations now selling biodiesel or E85. For example, in all of California there are about 30 stations selling biodiesel with only a few accepting credit cards or open 24 hours. The situation is even more limiting with E85, with just about a dozen stations in operation. This means consumers must go out of their way to use alternative fuels … if they’re even available. Other refueling facilities exist but are not accessible since they exclusively serve private fleets and government agencies.

Propel Fuels Inc. plans to change this with the launch of California’s first statewide network of low-carbon fueling stations. Initial Propel stations are co-located at gas stations in Elk Grove, Rocklin, Citrus Heights, and Sacramento, California. The stations now sell E85 ethanol and B5 biodiesel. Propel’s objective is to deploy hundreds of stations across California within the next five years. The company also plans to offer other biodiesel blends, hydrogen fuel, and battery chargers in the future. Propel stations are open 24 hours and accept all major credit, debit, and fleet cards.

Originally established in Seattle with six stations in the state of Washington, the company recently moved its headquarters to Sacramento. Factors like California’s progressive greenhouse gas laws, alternative fuel programs, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard coming in 2010, and Governor Schwarzenegger’s environmental and economic leadership influenced Propel to move to the Golden State.

Some of the most significant interest in Propel’s fuels comes from public fleet customers in California. For example, Agencies like CalTrans and the U.S. Postal Service use Voyager fleet fuel cards at Propel's new Sacramento fueling stations for their alternative fuel vehicles.

Propel envisions the potential for over five million alternative fuel-capable vehicles on California roads by 2012 with the right infrastructure in place. Propel buys its fuel from California producers, strengthening the local economy and keeping dollars within the state that would otherwise be spent offshore on petroleum. In fact, the company estimates that fuel alternatives have the potential to offset over 100 million gallons of imported petroleum annually and generate over $400 million of direct and indirect economic activity within California.

An integral part of Propel Biofuels’ business model is its Internet-based CleanDrive carbon emissions reduction tracking system. The CleanDrive software allows Propel customers to view, track, and publicize the carbon emission reductions they accumulate by using biodiesel purchased from Propel. CleanDrive members receive personalized emissions reports within 24 hours of a fill to see the positive change they are making. A CleanDrive report shows reductions in CO2, barrels of oil displaced, and reductions in foreign oil.

CleanDrive is a great tool for illustrating reductions in environmental impact and comparing CO2 reductions with other energy saving efforts. For fleet operators, CleanDrive makes it easy to quantify how much CO2 is being reduced by fleet operations. Propel is exploring the possibility of turning the credits into ‘points’ redeemable for goods and services like airline miles. The CleanDrive data could be useful should carbon-credit trading become a reality. Also, as states like California develop carbon emissions reduction targets, CleanDrive will help track and report progress.

Depending on location, Propel biodiesel is available in blends from B5 (5 percent biodiesel/95 percent petrodiesel) to B99 (99.9 percent biodiesel/1 percent petrodiesel). Propel points out that its Pureformance fuels are the highest-quality clean fuels available and are compatible will all flexible-fuel vehicles and diesel engines. Because of its producer-to-pump quality control, Propel is so confident of its high fuel standards that it guarantees to fix or replace any damage to fuel systems if its fuel is determined to be the cause of damage. That kind of quality assurance, along with a readily accessible fueling infrastructure and competitive pricing, will go a long way toward propelling alternative fuels into the mainstream.