R99 Renewable Diesel
Drop-in replacement for petroleum diesel made from waste fats and oils — no engine changes required.
What it is
Renewable diesel (R99) is a hydrotreated paraffin produced from waste cooking oil, rendered animal fats, and similar feedstocks. Unlike biodiesel, which is a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) with different chemistry, R99 is molecularly equivalent to petroleum diesel — it meets the same ASTM D975 spec and runs in any modern diesel engine without modifications.
Will my vehicle run it?
Drop-in for any modern diesel.
- No engine modifications, no warranty implications, no tuning changes.
- Works with all common diesel additives and emissions equipment (DPF, SCR/DEF).
- Cold-weather performance is essentially identical to ULSD.
Environmental impact vs. petroleum diesel
- ~70% reduction in lifecycle CO2-equivalent emissions vs. petroleum diesel.
- ~30% reduction in particulate matter at the tailpipe vs. petroleum diesel.
- Energy density is essentially identical to petroleum diesel; no MPG penalty.
Sources: CARB Low Carbon Fuel Standard pathway data; NREL / Argonne GREET model.
Trade-offs and caveats
- Lifecycle reduction varies by feedstock pathway under the CARB LCFS framework — used cooking oil typically beats virgin oils.
- Wholesale supply is concentrated on the U.S. west coast; broader availability is improving but uneven.
- Often costs slightly more per gallon at retail than #2 diesel; on a per-mile basis the gap is smaller.
Where to find it
Most retail availability today is in California, Oregon, and Washington, with growing distribution in the Mountain West and Northeast.
Browse R99 Renewable Diesel stations on the map or jump to a state-level directory: California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, or all US states.
FAQ
What is R99 Renewable Diesel?
Renewable diesel (R99) is a hydrotreated paraffin produced from waste cooking oil, rendered animal fats, and similar feedstocks. Unlike biodiesel, which is a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) with different chemistry, R99 is molecularly equivalent to petroleum diesel — it meets the same ASTM D975 spec and runs in any modern diesel engine without modifications.
Will my vehicle run R99 Renewable Diesel?
Drop-in for any modern diesel. No engine modifications, no warranty implications, no tuning changes. Works with all common diesel additives and emissions equipment (DPF, SCR/DEF). Cold-weather performance is essentially identical to ULSD.
What is the environmental impact of R99 Renewable Diesel?
Environmental impact vs. petroleum diesel ~70% reduction in lifecycle CO2-equivalent emissions vs. petroleum diesel. ~30% reduction in particulate matter at the tailpipe vs. petroleum diesel. Energy density is essentially identical to petroleum diesel; no MPG penalty.
What are the trade-offs of using R99 Renewable Diesel?
Lifecycle reduction varies by feedstock pathway under the CARB LCFS framework — used cooking oil typically beats virgin oils. Wholesale supply is concentrated on the U.S. west coast; broader availability is improving but uneven. Often costs slightly more per gallon at retail than #2 diesel; on a per-mile basis the gap is smaller.
Where can I find R99 Renewable Diesel stations?
Most retail availability today is in California, Oregon, and Washington, with growing distribution in the Mountain West and Northeast. OpenFuel maps every known R99 Renewable Diesel station in the US, with crowdsourced prices when available.