Marathon Petroleum’s Vinvale and East Hynes fleets, situated in California’s Los Angeles Basin, have taken a significant stride towards sustainability by converting their entire fleets to renewable diesel. This move aligns with Marathon Petroleum’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and fostering a cleaner future.
In 2023, two fleets under Marathon Petroleum Transport and Rail, alongside two locomotives at the Marathon Petroleum Los Angeles refinery, made the switch from conventional diesel fuel to renewable diesel, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s sustainability journey.
The transition to renewable diesel began with Marathon Petroleum’s initiative in 2021 to convert its ARCO retail sites to renewable diesel. These terminals gradually phased out CARB diesel, a specific grade mandated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), in favor of renewable diesel. As a result, the Marathon Petroleum fleets, which refuel at the company’s load racks, gained access to renewable diesel, enabling 35 trucks to operate on this environmentally friendly fuel in the Los Angeles area.
Additionally, in 2023, the rail team initiated a transition process for locomotives, initially using a 50-50 mixture of regular diesel and renewable diesel before progressing to exclusively using 100 percent renewable diesel.
Timothy Sweeney, transport maintenance supervisor, highlighted the initial apprehension among drivers regarding renewable diesel’s performance. However, Sweeney affirmed that renewable diesel proved to be different from biodiesel, with no adverse effects on truck operations. Since the transition, drivers have reported no decrease in power, performance, or operational efficiency.
Renewable diesel, derived from renewable feedstocks like vegetable oil, animal fats, and waste cooking oils, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional diesel fuel. Processed to be chemically identical to conventional diesel, renewable diesel can power traditional diesel engines without any modifications, presenting a viable solution for reducing emissions and promoting environmental stewardship.
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