Hayward municipal fleet ditches diesel for renewable alternative

Earlier this month, the City of Hayward placed its first order of renewable diesel, a fuel designed to power diesel-vehicles with a fraction of the harmful emissions. All ten of the City’s diesel fueling stations have officially made the switch.

The renewable diesel purchased by the City is supplied by Neste, a leading global renewable diesel distributor who also supplies to the City and County of San Francisco, the City of Oakland, and the City of San Leandro, among other early adopters of the diesel-alternative.

Renewable diesel differs from conventional diesel in that it is not petroleum-based; it is instead made from vegetable oils and animal fats, and is refined in such a way that it exactly matches the chemical composition of petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel also differs from biodiesel, which is also made from vegetable oils and animal fats but is refined in such a way that it emits greater levels of nitrogen oxides and is linked to decreased engine performance.

Because it is not petroleum-based, Neste boasts that its product emits significantly reduced health-hazardous pollutants and emissions when compared to conventional diesel, including 33% fewer fine particulates, 30% fewer hydrocarbons, 24% less carbon monoxide, and 9% fewer nitrogen oxides.

The switch is just one of a number of emission-reducing initiatives currently in the works at the City, which also recently surpassed the half-way mark to reach zero-net-energy at all municipal facilities, and was just awarded an “A” grade by CDP for its environmental efforts – one of 43 out of hundreds of global applicants to receive the top mark.

For more information about the City’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact, visit www.hayward-ca.gov/your-environment/green-your-community/climate-change-adaptation.