The New Jersey Township of North Brunswick has partnered with Neste to transition all of its diesel vehicles and equipment to renewable diesel. 

This makes North Brunswick the first township in New Jersey to transition to renewable diesel. 

Making the Transition from Fossil Diesel to Renewable Diesel

In early May, 2024, the township conducted an initial trial focused on switching fossil diesel to renewable diesel. Neste MY Renewable Diesel was used during the trial in the township’s Department of Public Works (DPW) trucks.

Because Neste MY Renewable Diesel is compatible with all diesel engines, North Brunswick was able to transition to this fuel without the need for new fueling infrastructure or investment into fleet modifications.

Renewable Diesel for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Municipal Fleets

Now North Brunswick’s entire fleet with diesel engines, including emergency medical services vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles, school buses, and backup generators are powered by renewable diesel.

These vehicles and equipment will use over 48,000 gallons (141 tons) of renewable diesel annually. This can reportedly help reduce GHG emissions by up to 470 tons annually compared to the use of fossil diesel. This is equal to the annual direct GHG emissions from more than 110 passenger vehicles according to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

Understanding Renewable Diesel and its Role in Fleet

Like biodiesel, renewable diesel is not a fossil fuel. Instead, it is made of nonpetroleum renewable resources such as natural fats, vegetable oils (ie soybean oil), and greases.

Renewable diesel differs from biodiesel, however, in how it’s processed. Renewable diesel is processed similar to the way petroleum diesel is produced, which makes it chemically the same as petroleum diesel. That means a few things:

• Because it’s hydrogenated, renewable diesel doesn’t contain ­oxygen, and therefore users will not encounter the challenges biodiesel presents relating to freezing temperature and storage.

• Thanks to hydrogenation, renewable diesel also burns cleaner than biodiesel.

• Because it has the same chemical structure as petroleum diesel, renewable diesel can be used in engines that are designed to run on conventional diesel fuel — with no blending required.