Craig Crowder, fleet manager for the city of Beverly Hills, Calif., is reporting better performance and reduced maintenance since switching to renewable diesel.
In June 2013, Crowder decided to start switching from petroleum-based, ultra-low-sulfur diesel to Neste MY Renewable Diesel. Today, his fleet of 445 vehicles now runs on 100% renewable diesel.
“We have a lot of different types of vehicles,” says Crowder, who has been with the city of Beverly Hills for more than 25 years. “My biggest concern with switching fuel types was the transition and what accommodations would have to be made. Thankfully, with Neste MY Renewable Diesel, it was a drop-in product that required no change in infrastructure.”
Crowder manages a fleet of 99 different classifications of vehicles – everything from lawn and garden machines to fire and garbage trucks.
“After switching to Neste MY, we noticed that our fuel systems were very clean, even cleaner than they had been while using ULSD,” Crowder says. “Our DPFs [diesel particulate filters] were performing better, and annual maintenance was simple and efficient. Our trucks had improved performance, better power and less smoke emission.”
Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a low-carbon fuel produced from 100% renewable and sustainable raw materials, primarily wastes and residues. According to Neste, it cuts greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 80% and reduces carbon monoxide by 24% and fine particulates by 33%. Further, it is a direct replacement fuel that requires no blending and is compatible with all diesel engines.
“In 2011, mass-produced alternative fuels were just coming into the marketplace, and regulation was rare,” Crowder continues. “Fast-forward to today, and the technology in the alternative fuel sector – and Neste MY Renewable Diesel in particular – is leaps and bounds beyond its beginnings.”
Neste MY Renewable Diesel is available to public and private fleets in California through authorized distributors. IPC (USA) Inc., headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the exclusive distributor for Neste MY Renewable Diesel for Beverly Hills.
“Reducing our emissions is key in helping make our city more environmentally friendly,” adds Crowder. “Making the switch to Neste MY Renewable Diesel was such an easy thing to do and has been a win-win for the community and our fleet.”
