Renewing the debate on diesel alternatives

State and federal legislation has helped double the consumption of renewable and biodiesel in North America over the past half decade. But is policy alone enough to make them ready for prime time?

As crude oil prices continue to fluctuate globally, creating budgeting and logistical headaches for fleets of all sizes, renewable diesel (RD) fuels have quietly gained ground in North America.

According to Chevron, total biomass consumption of renewable fuels in the U.S. has grown exponentially over the past five years, from 2.7 million gallons in 2020 to 5.1 million gallons in 2024. While that represents a fragment of annual diesel consumption in the U.S., the environmental benefits and viability of renewable fuels are growing greater everyday thanks to legislative support and technological investment from various fuel producers.