NYC has completed the rollout of renewable diesel for its trucking and off-road fleet,  which impacts over 12,000 City trucks and off-road equipment pieces. This reduces 162 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year from entering the atmosphere, according to the city. 

DCAS announced the start of the initiative in November 2023.

Renewable Diesel Changing the Fleet

DCAS no longer uses fossil diesel fuel for in-house fuel sites. The fuel used is 95% renewable diesel and 5% biodiesel. The initiative covers emergency and non-emergency equipment and on- and off-road vehicles. The fleet has used over 16 million gallons of renewable diesel since September 2023, including for the entire winter snow season at Sanitation. 

Emergency vehicles from NYPD and FDNY still have as-needed access to retail regular diesel if required for specific operational situations.

Renewable Diesel Sources and Additional Uses

DCAS has sourced all renewable diesel from used cooking oil or waste animal fats. These are waste products that would otherwise be landfilled or repurposed. In the production cycle, these fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 60% and air quality emissions from 15 to 35%. The fuel also eliminates aromatics: renewable diesel doesn’t smell like regular diesel.

Renewable diesel is used extensively in California and other West Coast states that employ Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) policies. DCAS Fleet is also researching additional possible uses of renewable diesel.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

In May 2024, DCAS announced it was on pace to achieve 50% greenhouse gas reduction by 2025, as committed to in the NYC Clean Fleet plan. This includes the transition to renewable diesel.

Through Local Law 140 of 2023, the city has committed to an all-electric fleet by 2035 for light and medium duty units and 2038, if feasible, for heavy-duty, emergency, and specialized. DCAS continues to make progress on electrification, leading NY State with 5,300 electric vehicles and 2,100 charging ports. 

DCAS noted that there are not viable electric options for many operations, including plowing, stormwater management, and fire and police emergency response. Until electric solutions develop in these areas, DCAS will employ renewable diesel to make progress on emissions.