Clean Cities 

Alternative Fuel Price Report

October 2014
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 2

WELCOME!

Welcome to the October 2014 issue of the Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, a quarterly report designed to keep Clean Cities 

coalitions and other interested parties up to date on the prices of alternative and conventional fuels in the United States. This issue 

summarizes prices that were collected between October 1, 2014 and October 15, 2014 from Clean Cities coordinators, fuel providers, 

and other Clean Cities stakeholders.

METHODOLOGY

 DOE requested that Clean Cities 

coordinators, fuel providers, and other key 

stakeholders provide prices for fuels in their 

areas on a voluntary basis.

 Prices were collected for all major 

alternative fuels currently in widespread 

use, i.e. natural gas, propane, biodiesel, and 

ethanol.

 Prices were collected for conventional fuels 

at stations that also sell alternative fuels, or 

at nearby stations.

 Prices from public and private refueling 

stations are included.1

 Prices were then averaged to determine 

regional price trends by fuel and variability 

in fuel price within and among regions.

2

 Consistent with the U.S. Energy 

Information Administration (EIA) fuel price 

reporting format, prices are grouped by the 

Petroleum Administration for Defense 

Districts (PADD); the districts are 

illustrated in the map at right.

This report’s prices represent retail, at-the-pump sales prices for each fuel, including federal and state motor fuel taxes. In some cases, 

prices were collected from government or utility refueling facilities and these taxes were not included in the prices reported to Clean 

Cities. In these instances, although these users are not required to pay these taxes, the appropriate federal and state taxes were added to 

the reported prices to provide a more representative basis for comparison. In some cases, states may charge a flat annual fee for state

motor fuel taxes, especially for gaseous fuels like compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or propane). 

These flat fees are not considered in the prices reported in these pages.

 

1

Public refueling stations are open to the public, while private fueling stations are privately-owned or available only to selected fleets. 

2

Fuel price averages for this report are determined by simply averaging the individual data points received. A comparison of average 

fuel prices for private and for public stations by region can be found on pages 13-14.
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

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SUMMARY OF CURRENT REPORT INFORMATION

Table 1 shows overall nationwide average 

prices for conventional and alternative fuels.3

As this table illustrates, alternative fuel prices 

relative to conventional fuels vary, with some 

(B20, B99-B100) higher and some (CNG, 

E85 and propane) lower. As shown in Table 

2, on an energy-equivalent basis, CNG is 

about $1.18 less than gasoline. On a pergallon basis, E85 is about $.46 less than 

gasoline, and propane is about $.26 less than 

gasoline. B20 prices are higher than regular 

diesel by about $.04 per gallon, while 

B99/B100 blends have a cost of about $.44

per gallon more than regular diesel.

4

Relative to the last report from July 2014, the 

average prices for the liquid fuels ranged 

from a decrease $.03 per gallon for B99/B100 to a decrease of $.36 per gallon for gasoline. The gaseous fuel prices experienced a

decrease of $.01 per GGE for CNG and an increase of $.01 per gallon for propane. It should be noted that the price changes occur as a 

result of a number of factors, including an actual change in price, a slightly differing sample of prices (both location and quantity), and 

seasonal variations in demand.

Prices in this report were collected and are reported in the units 

in which they are typically sold (dollars per gallon or dollars 

per gasoline gallon equivalent). Because these fuels have

differing energy contents per gallon, the price paid per unit of 

energy content can differ somewhat from the price paid per 

gallon. Table 2 shows the fuel prices from Table 1 for the 

current reporting period normalized to a price per gasoline

gallon equivalent (GGE), per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE), 

or per million British thermal units (MBtu) of energy. This 

calculation uses the nominal lower heating values in BTUs per 

gallon of fuel from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s 

Transportation Energy Data Book.

5

Prices for the alternative 

fuels in terms of price per gallon equivalent are generally 

higher than their price per gallon because of their lower energy 

content per gallon.

6 However, consumer interest in alternative 

fuels generally increases when the alternative fuel price is less 

than the conventional fuel price and as the price differential 

per gallon increases, even if that differential does not directly 

translate to savings on an energy-equivalent basis.

Propane prices include information from both “primary” and “secondary” stations. Primary stations have dedicated vehicle services 

and tend to be less expensive than secondary stations, which mostly serve the propane tank and bottle market.

 

3 A very small sample (6 points) of hydrogen information was received: Two of the six locations for which data was received reported hydrogen at 

zero cost for vehicle use, with an average price for the four other hydrogen stations of $8.96 per gasoline gallon equivalent.

4 ASTM specifications now include blends of up to 5% biodiesel as regular diesel fuel; therefore the separate listing for B2/B5 was discontinued as of 

October 2009.

5 A listing of the conversion factors used appears as an appendix at the end of this report.

6

For ethanol flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs), the actual difference in fuel used per mile is somewhat less than would be calculated simply on the 

difference in energy content of the fuels, as some sources have noted that some FFVs can achieve better energy efficiency (miles per unit of energy) 

on E85 than on gasoline. This effect is not currently included in these calculations as the magnitude of the effect varies by specific FFV model.

Table 1. Overall Average Fuel Prices*

Nationwide Average 

Fuel Price

October 2014

Nationwide Average 

Fuel Price

July 2014

Change in Price 

July – October 

2014

Units of 

Measurement

Gasoline (Regular) $3.34 $3.70 ($0.36) per gallon

Diesel $3.77 $3.91 ($0.14) per gallon

CNG $2.16 $2.17 ($0.01) per GGE

Ethanol (E85) $2.88 $3.23 ($0.35) per gallon

Propane** $3.08 $3.07 $0.01 per gallon

Biodiesel (B20) $3.81 $3.98 ($0.17) per gallon

Biodiesel (B99-B100) $4.21 $4.24 ($0.03) per gallon

 *Includes private and public stations

**Includes primary and secondary stations

Table 2. October 2014 Average Fuel Prices on Energy-Equivalent Basis*

Nationwide 

Average Price in 

Gasoline Gallon 

Equivalents

($/GGE)

Nationwide 

Average Price in 

Diesel Gallon 

Equivalents

($/DGE)

Nationwide 

Average Price in 

Dollars per 

Million Btu

($/MBtu)

Gasoline $3.34 $3.72 $28.93

Diesel $3.38 $3.77 $29.28

CNG $2.16 $2.40 $18.68

Ethanol (E85) $4.07 $4.54 $35.26

Propane** $4.25 $4.74 $36.84

Biodiesel (B20) $3.48 $3.88 $30.15

Biodiesel (B99-B100) $4.15 $4.63 $35.99

 *Includes public and private stations

**Includes primary and secondary stations
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

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GASOLINE AND DIESEL PRICES

Table 3 shows average prices for 

gasoline and diesel as collected by 

Clean Cities coordinators and other 

stakeholders (supplemented where 

necessary with other EIA reference 

sources for conventional fuels). 

These prices were collected from 

refueling stations selling both 

conventional fuels and alternative 

fuels, and from conventional 

refueling stations near alternative 

fuel stations. There were 552 price 

points collected for gasoline and 

425 for diesel. The average price 

for gasoline ranged from a low of 

$2.98 per gallon in the Gulf Coast

region to a high of $3.61 per gallon 

in the West Coast region. Diesel 

prices ranged from $3.59 per 

gallon in the Gulf Coast region to $3.92 per gallon in the New England region. Because prices for conventional fuels were collected 

from stations and regions providing alternative fuel price information, data collection was not uniform across the regions of the 

country. However, the information is representative of refueling stations selling both alternative fuels and conventional fuels.

Table 4 shows average prices as provided by EIA on the petroleum 

information section of its website.

7 These prices are averages of prices 

from a selection of 900 gasoline and 350 diesel retail fuel stations across 

the country. Note that EIA’s average nationwide prices match relatively 

closely with the average prices reported by Clean Cities stakeholders, with 

a few exceptions. Prices differed by $.07 or less for gasoline and diesel 

in each region on a per gallon basis, with the exception of the New 

England region, where EIA average prices differed by $.22 per gallon for 

gasoline and $.10 per gallon for diesel from the average prices reported by 

Clean Cities stakeholders, and the Lower Atlantic and Midwest regions, 

where EIA average prices for gasoline differed by $.08 and $.09 per 

gallon, respectively. Comparisons in this document between conventional 

and alternative fuel prices will be made using prices collected from Clean 

Cities sources wherever possible, as these prices are most representative 

of stations selling both conventional and alternative fuels.

 

7

http://www.eia.doe.gov/petroleum/

Table 3. Average Gasoline and Diesel Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources 

Regular Gasoline Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal)

Diesel Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal)

Average Price/

Standard 

Deviation of Price

Number of Data 

Points

Average Price/

Standard 

Deviation of Price

Number of Data 

Points

New England $3.62 / 0.21 46 $3.91 / 0.19 43

Central Atlantic $3.51 / 0.19 31 $3.80 / 0.23 50

Lower Atlantic $3.35 / 0.19 54 $3.71 / 0.17 50

Midwest $3.38 / 0.24 170 $3.72 / 0.15 112

Gulf Coast $3.23 / 0.09 41 $3.65 / 0.13 23

Rocky Mountain $3.45 / 0.22 42 $3.85 / 0.15 29

West Coast $3.77 / 0.30 58 $4.06 / 0.28 56

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.46 / 0.27 442 $3.81 / 0.23 363

Table 4. EIA Gasoline and Diesel Average Prices

Gasoline Average 

Price from EIA, 

Week of 10/13/14

Diesel Average 

Price from EIA, 

Week of 10/13/14

New England $3.35 $3.82

Central Atlantic $3.29 $3.78

Lower Atlantic $3.16 $3.64

Midwest $3.08 $3.64

Gulf Coast $3.01 $3.64

Rocky Mountain $3.34 $3.75

West Coast $3.54 $3.89

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.21 $3.70

Table 3. Average Gasoline and Diesel Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources 

Regular Gasoline Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal)

Diesel Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal)

Average Price

Number of Data 

Points Average Price 

Number of Data 

Points

New England $3.57 30 $3.92 33

Central Atlantic $3.36 78 $3.85 81

Lower Atlantic $3.24 74 $3.66 74

Midwest $3.17 156 $3.62 74

Gulf Coast $2.98 17 $3.59 15

Rocky Mountain $3.33 81 $3.72 50

West Coast $3.61 116 $3.90 98

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.34 552 $3.77 425
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 5

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (RELATIVE TO GASOLINE)

Table 5 shows average prices for 

compressed natural gas (CNG) 

for vehicle use, grouped by 

region, as well as regular gasoline 

prices, as provided by Clean 

Cities representatives. These 

prices were collected from across 

the country from Clean Cities 

coordinators, fuel providers, and 

other stakeholders on a voluntary 

basis.

As Table 5 illustrates, CNG has a 

lower average price than gasoline 

for all regions of the country,

with the largest difference ($1.42

per GGE) being in the Rocky 

Mountain region. On average, 

CNG costs about $1.18 less than 

gasoline on a per GGE basis. 

The map to the right illustrates price 

differentials by state for natural gas relative to 

gasoline, based on differentials between natural 

gas and gasoline prices for each state (as 

opposed to the regional averages illustrated in 

Table 5). In this map, negative numbers 

represent prices for CNG lower than gasoline. 

States not highlighted with a color did not have 

any CNG data points in the current report. As 

the map illustrates, CNG prices (per GGE) 

were favorable relative to gasoline in all states 

for which pricing data was reported, with the 

most favorable pricing found in Alaska, Idaho, 

Oregon, Utah and Wyoming.

Tech Note: Prices for CNG were provided by 

the individual stakeholders in GGEs from the 

“price at the pump.” It should be noted that the 

internal conversion factor between the physical 

quantities of gas delivered and GGE was not 

collected from each of the refueling stations. 

Regional differences in gas heat content 

relative to the internal pump conversion factor 

may change the price per GGE, but this report did not determine these differences.

Table 5. Compressed Natural Gas and Gasoline Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources

Natural Gas (CNG) Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($/GGE)

Regular Gasoline Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal)

Average Price

Number of Data 

Points Average Price

Number of Data 

Points

New England $2.61 28 $3.57 30

Central Atlantic $2.11 97 $3.36 78

Lower Atlantic $2.13 47 $3.24 74

Midwest $2.08 80 $3.17 156

Gulf Coast $2.03 45 $2.98 17

Rocky Mountain $1.91 106 $3.33 81

West Coast $2.41 126 $3.61 116

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.16 529 $3.34 552
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 6

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (RELATIVE TO DIESEL)8

Table 6 shows average prices for 

compressed natural gas (CNG) 

for vehicle use, grouped by 

region, as well as conventional 

diesel fuel prices, as provided by 

Clean Cities representatives and 

supplemental sources. These 

prices were collected from across 

the country from Clean Cities 

coordinators, fuel providers, and 

other stakeholders on a voluntary 

basis. The CNG prices in Table 6 

are based upon the same group of 

prices as for Table 5, but

converted to a cost per DGE basis

instead of a cost per GGE, to 

compare directly with diesel 

prices. 

As Table 6 illustrates, CNG has a lower average price than diesel for all regions of the country, with the largest difference ($1.59 per 

DGE) being in the Rocky Mountain region. On average, CNG costs about $1.36 less than diesel on a per DGE basis. 

The map to the right illustrates price

differentials by state for CNG relative to 

diesel, based on differentials between CNG

prices and diesel prices for each state (as 

opposed to the regional averages illustrated in 

Table 6). In this map, negative numbers 

represent prices for CNG lower than prices for 

diesel. States not highlighted with a color did 

not have any CNG data points in the current 

report. As with the comparison to gasoline, 

CNG prices relative to diesel were favorable 

for all states for which pricing data was 

reported. Alaska, Arkansas, Utah and 

Wyoming reported the most favorable pricing 

for CNG relative to diesel.

 

8 A total of 39 liquefied natural gas (LNG) price points were collected with an average fuel price of $2.64 per DGE. Because of the small number of 

price points, this data is not reflected in the report.

Table 6. Compressed Natural Gas and Diesel Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources

Natural Gas (CNG) Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($/DGE)

Diesel Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal)

Average Price

Number of Data 

Points Average Price

Number of Data 

Points

New England $2.91 28 $3.92 33

Central Atlantic $2.35 97 $3.85 81

Lower Atlantic $2.37 47 $3.66 74

Midwest $2.32 80 $3.62 74

Gulf Coast $2.27 45 $3.59 15

Rocky Mountain $2.13 106 $3.72 50

West Coast $2.69 126 $3.90 98

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.40 529 $3.77 425
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 7

ETHANOL (E85)

Table 7 shows average prices for

an 85% ethanol/15% gasoline 

(E85) fuel blend, grouped by 

region, as well as regular gasoline 

prices, as provided by Clean 

Cities representatives. These

prices were collected from across 

the country from Clean Cities 

coordinators, fuel providers, and 

other stakeholders on a voluntary 

basis.

As Table 7 illustrates, E85 has a 

lower average price per gallon 

than regular gasoline in all 

regions of the country, except for 

New England, where E85 was 

$.07 per gallon more expensive 

than gasoline. The largest 

differential was $.53 per gallon in the Midwest region. On average, E85 is about $.46 lower in price than regular gasoline on a pergallon basis.

The map to the right illustrates price differentials 

between E85 and regular gasoline by state, based 

on differentials between E85 and gasoline prices 

for each state (as opposed to the regional 

averages illustrated in Table 7). In this map, 

negative numbers represent prices for E85 lower 

than for gasoline, and positive numbers represent 

prices for E85 higher than gasoline, on a pergallon basis. States not highlighted with a color 

did not have any E85 data points in the current 

report. As the map illustrates, the states with the 

most favorable E85 pricing were Indiana, Iowa, 

North Dakota and West Virginia.

Tech Note: Ethanol (E85) contains about 30% 

less energy (BTUs) per volume than gasoline. 

Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) operating on E85 

do not experience a loss in operational 

performance, but may experience a 25-30% 

decrease in miles driven per gallon compared to 

operation on gasoline. The appendix at the end 

of this report provides conversion factors for 

calculating E85 prices on a GGE and DGE basis. For a side-by-side comparison of available flexible fuel and other alternatively 

fueled vehicles, visit www.fueleconomy.gov.

Table 7. Ethanol (E85) and Gasoline Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources

Ethanol (E85) Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Regular Gasoline Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Average Price

Number of Data 

Points Average Price

Number of Data 

Points

New England $3.64 2 $3.57 30

Central Atlantic $3.08 93 $3.36 78

Lower Atlantic $2.88 73 $3.24 74

Midwest $2.64 179 $3.17 156

Gulf Coast $2.74 54 $2.98 17

Rocky Mountain $2.93 63 $3.33 81

West Coast $3.21 81 $3.61 116

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.88 545 $3.34 552
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 8

PROPANE

Table 8 shows average prices for 

propane for vehicle use grouped 

by region, as well as regular 

gasoline prices, as provided by 

Clean Cities representatives.

These prices were collected from 

across the country from Clean 

Cities coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other stakeholders 

on a voluntary basis. Some 

stations charge a different price 

for propane used in vehicles 

versus other uses. Where 

provided, the vehicle price has 

been included in this report.

As Table 8 illustrates, propane 

prices are lower than gasoline in 

all regions of the country on a per-gallon basis with the exception of the Gulf Coast, where propane was .03 per gallon more 

expensive. Overall, propane was about $.26 per gallon less than gasoline, with the largest average price differential of $.50 per gallon 

found in the New England region. Propane prices in this report are from both private fleet refueling stations and public refueling sites

that can provide propane for vehicles and for other uses.

9

 

The map to the right illustrates price

differentials between propane and regular 

gasoline on a per-gallon basis, based on 

differentials between propane and gasoline 

prices for each state (as opposed to the regional 

averages illustrated in Table 8). In this map, 

negative numbers represent prices for propane 

lower than gasoline, and positive numbers 

represent propane prices higher than gasoline. 

States not highlighted with a color did not have 

any propane data points in the current report. 

As the map illustrates, the most favorable 

prices were found in Alabama, Delaware, 

Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Tech Note: Propane contains about 25% less 

energy (BTUs) per volume than gasoline and 

about 35% less energy (BTUs) per volume than 

diesel. The appendix at the end of this report 

provides conversion factors for calculating 

propane prices on a GGE and DGE basis.

 

9

Because many propane retailers provide fuel for non-vehicle uses (camping stoves, gas grills, etc.), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

(NREL) has worked with suppliers to clarify the differences. On the AFDC Station Locator website (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/stations/) 

each public propane station is designated as a "primary" or "secondary" service type. Both types are able to fuel vehicles. However, stations 

designated as "primary" have indicated they have facilities and billing procedures specifically designed for vehicle customers. They may also offer 

special vehicle pricing and most accept major credit cards, similar to traditional gasoline/diesel retailers. Propane pricing reported in this guide 

reflects a sampling of both primary and secondary stations.

Table 8. Propane and Gasoline Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources

Propane Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Regular Gasoline Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Average Price

Number of Data 

Points Average Price

Number of Data 

Points

New England $3.07 22 $3.57 30

Central Atlantic $3.09 54 $3.36 78

Lower Atlantic $3.06 101 $3.24 74

Midwest $3.05 48 $3.17 156

Gulf Coast $3.01 63 $2.98 17

Rocky Mountain $2.95 69 $3.33 81

West Coast $3.21 111 $3.61 116

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.08 468 $3.34 552
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 9

BIODIESEL BLENDS: B20

Table 9 shows average prices for 

B20, a 20% biodiesel/80% diesel 

fuel blend, grouped by region, as 

well as regular diesel prices, as 

provided by Clean Cities 

representatives. These prices 

were collected from across the 

country from Clean Cities 

coordinators, fuel providers, and 

other stakeholders on a voluntary 

basis.

As Table 9 illustrates, prices for 

B20 are between $.01 and $.17

per gallon higher than

conventional diesel fuel in five

regions, and $.07 and $.12 per 

gallon less than conventional 

diesel fuel in two regions, the 

Central Atlantic and New England, respectively. On average in the U.S., biodiesel in a B20 blend costs about $.04 more per gallon 

than conventional diesel fuel, based on current information.

The map to the right illustrates price 

differentials between B20 and diesel on a pergallon basis, based on differentials between 

B20 and diesel prices for each state (as opposed 

to the regional averages illustrated in Table 9). 

In this map, negative numbers represent prices

for B20 lower than diesel, and positive 

numbers represent B20 prices higher than 

diesel. States not highlighted with a color did 

not have any B20 data points in the current 

report. B20 had the most favorable pricing (per 

gallon) in the West Coast and Lower Atlantic 

regions.

Tech Note: B20 contains only about 2% less 

energy (BTUs) per volume than diesel. The 

appendix at the end of this report provides 

conversion factors for calculating B20 prices 

on a GGE and DGE basis.

Table 9. Biodiesel (B20) Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources

Biodiesel (B20) Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Diesel Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Average Price/ Standard 

Deviation of Price

Approximate 

Number of 

Stations

Average Price/ Standard 

Deviation of Price

Approximate 

Number of Stations

New England $3.92 / 0.19 13 $3.91 / 0.19 43

Central Atlantic $3.92 / 0.27 20 $3.80 / 0.23 50

Lower Atlantic $3.77 / 0.20 14 $3.71 / 0.17 50

Midwest $3.73 / 0.20 37 $3.72 / 0.15 112

Gulf Coast $3.74 / 0.24 6 $3.65 / 0.13 23

Rocky Mountain $4.03 / 0.14 18 $3.85 / 0.15 29

West Coast $4.10 / 0.50 40 $4.06 / 0.28 56

NATIONAL 

AVERAGE $3.91 / 0.34 148 $3.81 / 0.23 363

Table 9. Biodiesel (B20) and Diesel Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources

Biodiesel (B20) Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Diesel Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Average Price

Number of Data 

Points Average Price

Number of Data

Points

New England $3.80 8 $3.92 33

Central Atlantic $3.78 33 $3.85 81

Lower Atlantic $3.68 26 $3.66 74

Midwest $3.64 35 $3.62 74

Gulf Coast $3.62 6 $3.59 15

Rocky Mountain $3.89 14 $3.72 50

West Coast $3.98 62 $3.90 98

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.81 184 $3.77 425
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 10

BIODIESEL BLENDS: B99/B100

Table 10 shows average prices 

for high-level blends of biodiesel 

(99% or 100% biodiesel with 

diesel fuel), grouped by region, 

as well as regular diesel prices, as 

provided by Clean Cities 

representatives. These prices

were collected from across the 

country from Clean Cities 

coordinators, fuel providers, and 

other stakeholders on a voluntary 

basis.

The price of B99/B100 is higher

than the price of diesel fuel on a 

per gallon basis in five of the 

regions for which data was

collected, ranging from $.35 per 

gallon higher in the Gulf Coast 

region to $1.61 per gallon higher in the Central Atlantic region. In the New England and Midwest regions, prices for B99/B100 were 

lower than conventional diesel, by $.22 and $.20 per gallon, respectively. On average across the nation, the price of B99/B100 is about 

$.44 per gallon higher than the price of regular diesel. 

The map to the right illustrates price differentials 

between high-level biodiesel blends and regular 

diesel on a per-gallon basis, based on differentials 

between biodiesel and diesel prices for each state 

(as opposed to the regional averages illustrated in 

Table 10). In this map, negative numbers represent 

prices for these blends that are lower than diesel, 

and positive numbers represent prices for these 

blends that are higher than diesel. States not 

highlighted with a color did not have any highlevel biodiesel blend data points in the current 

report. Where data was available for this report, 

prices for B99/B100 (per gallon) were most 

favorable in Nebraska and Missouri.

Tech Note: B100 contains about 10% less energy 

(BTUs) per volume than diesel. The appendix at 

the end of this report provides conversion factors 

for calculating B100 prices on a GGE and DGE 

basis.

Table 10. Biodiesel (B99/B100) and Diesel Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources

Biodiesel (B99/B100) Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Diesel Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Average Price

Number of Data 

Points Average Price

Number of Data 

Points

New England $3.70 3 $3.92 33

Central Atlantic $5.45 5 $3.85 81

Lower Atlantic $4.03 18 $3.66 74

Midwest $3.42 4 $3.62 74

Gulf Coast $3.93 3 $3.59 15

Rocky Mountain $4.10 6 $3.72 50

West Coast $4.35 25 $3.90 98

NATIONAL AVERAGE $4.21 64 $3.77 425
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 11

COMPARISON OF PRICES OF THIS REPORT VERSUS LAST REPORT

Table 11, below, summarizes the average prices collected for this report by region, and compares them to prices collected in the Price 

Report from October, 2014. It should be noted that a portion of the price changes could be attributed to differing sample sizes and 

locations between the two reports. 

Table 11. Comparison of Prices, Last Price Report versus Current Price Report

Price for October 2014 Period Price for July 2014 Period Price Differential 

October vs. July

Gasoline ($ per gallon) National Average $3.34 $3.70 ($0.36) / (10%)

New England $3.57 $3.94 ($0.37) / (9%)

Central Atlantic $3.36 $3.70 ($0.34) / (9%)

Lower Atlantic $3.24 $3.54 ($0.30) / (8%)

Midwest $3.17 $3.61 ($0.44) / (12%)

Gulf Coast $2.98 $3.46 ($0.48) / (14%)

Rocky Mountain $3.33 $3.59 ($0.26) / (7%)

West Coast $3.61 $3.94 ($0.33) / (8%)

Diesel ($ per gallon) National Average $3.77 $3.91 ($0.14) / (4%)

New England $3.92 $4.11 ($0.19) / (5%)

Central Atlantic $3.85 $3.91 ($0.06) / (2%)

Lower Atlantic $3.66 $3.82 ($0.16) / (4%)

Midwest $3.62 $3.82 ($0.20) / (5%)

Gulf Coast $3.59 $3.77 ($0.18) / (5%)

Rocky Mountain $3.72 $3.82 ($0.10) / (2%)

West Coast $3.90 $4.04 ($0.14) / (3%)

Compressed Natural Gas ($ per GGE) National Average $2.16 $2.17 ($0.01) / (1%)

New England $2.61 $2.51 $0.10/ 4%

Central Atlantic $2.11 $2.24 ($0.13) / (6%)

Lower Atlantic $2.13 $2.00 $0.13 / 7%

Midwest $2.08 $2.09 ($0.01) / (1%)

Gulf Coast $2.03 $2.08 ($0.05) / (2%)

Rocky Mountain $1.91 $1.92 ($0.01) / 0%

West Coast $2.41 $2.42 ($0.01) / 0%

Ethanol (E85) ($ per gallon) National Average $2.88 $3.23 ($0.35) / (11%)

New England $3.64 $3.84 ($0.20) / (5%)

Central Atlantic $3.08 $3.34 ($0.26) / (8%)

Lower Atlantic $2.88 $3.21 ($0.33) / (10%)

Midwest $2.64 $3.04 ($0.40) / (13%)

Gulf Coast $2.74 $3.14 ($0.40) / (13%)

Rocky Mountain $2.93 $3.23 ($0.30) / (9%)

West Coast $3.21 $3.59 ($0.38) / (11%)
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 12

Table 11. Comparison of Prices, Last Price Report versus Current Price Report

Price for October 2014 Period Price for July 2014 Period Price Differential 

October vs. July

Propane ($ per gallon) National Average $3.08 $3.07 $0.01 / 0%

New England $3.07 $3.00 $0.07 / 2%

Central Atlantic $3.09 $3.05 $0.04 / 1%

Lower Atlantic $3.06 $2.95 $0.11 / 4%

Midwest $3.05 $3.08 ($0.03) / (1%)

Gulf Coast $3.01 $3.10 ($0.09) / (3%)

Rocky Mountain $2.95 $3.02 ($0.07) / (2%)

West Coast $3.21 $3.16 $0.05 / 1%

Biodiesel (B20) ($ per gallon) National Average $3.81 $3.98 ($0.17) / (4%)

New England $3.80 $4.00 ($0.20) / (5%)

Central Atlantic $3.78 $3.99 ($0.21) / (5%)

Lower Atlantic $3.68 $3.89 ($0.21) / (5%)

Midwest $3.64 $3.78 ($0.14) / (4%)

Gulf Coast $3.62 $3.81 ($0.19) / (5%)

Rocky Mountain $3.89 $3.96 ($0.07) / (2%)

West Coast $3.98 $4.14 ($0.16) / (4%)

Biodiesel (B99/B100) ($ per gallon) National Average $4.21 $4.24 ($0.03) / (1%)

New England $3.70 $3.73 ($0.03) / (1%)

Central Atlantic $5.45 $5.26 $0.19 / 4%

Lower Atlantic $4.03 $4.11 ($0.08) / (2%)

Midwest $3.42 $3.59 ($0.17) / (5%)

Gulf Coast $3.93 $3.70 $0.23 / 6%

Rocky Mountain $4.10 $3.98 $0.12 / 3%

West Coast $4.35 $4.39 ($0.04) / (1%)
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 13

COMPARISON OF PRICES BY REGION FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE REFUELING STATIONS

Table 12, below, summarizes the comparison of fuel prices included in this report, separated into averages for privately-owned 

stations or stations available only to selected fleets (private refueling stations) and stations open to the public (public refueling 

stations). Private fleet fueling stations can typically negotiate prices lower than retail public stations, if they are willing to commit to 

purchasing large quantities of fuel over an extended period of time. However, private fleet pricing can sometimes be higher than retail 

public stations if there are unusual circumstances (remote locations, sites that use very small quantities of fuel, or special contracts 

where unique billing, accounting, or fleet service management fees are rolled into the price of the fuel).

As with the other prices in this report, all of these averages are prices with state and federal taxes included, using the protocols 

outlined at the beginning of this document.

Table 12. Comparison of Prices by Fuel Type, Region, and Station Type

Private Refueling Station Average 

Price

Public Refueling Station Average 

Price

Gasoline ($/gallon) National Average $3.38 $3.33 

New England $3.42 $3.60

Central Atlantic $3.33 $3.36

Lower Atlantic $3.20 $3.24

Midwest $2.94 $3.18

Gulf Coast $--.-- $2.98

Rocky Mountain $3.37 $3.33

West Coast $3.62 $3.60

Diesel ($/gallon) National Average $3.70 $3.78 

New England $3.73 $3.96

Central Atlantic $3.71 $3.96

Lower Atlantic $3.16 $3.67

Midwest $3.18 $3.63

Gulf Coast $--.-- $3.59

Rocky Mountain $3.53 $3.73

West Coast $3.81 $3.91

Natural Gas (CNG) ($/GGE) National Average $1.85 $2.26 

New England $2.15 $2.76

Central Atlantic $1.83 $2.38

Lower Atlantic $1.57 $2.18

Midwest $2.06 $2.08

Gulf Coast $1.70 $2.07

Rocky Mountain $1.76 $2.02

West Coast $2.05 $2.46

Ethanol (E85) ($/gallon) National Average $2.95 $2.87 

New England $--.-- $3.64

Central Atlantic $3.01 $3.08

Lower Atlantic $3.04 $2.87

Midwest $2.50 $2.64

Gulf Coast $3.21 $2.72

Rocky Mountain $2.89 $2.93

West Coast $3.14 $3.21

Propane ($/gallon) National Average $2.13 $3.15 

New England $2.83 $3.09

Central Atlantic $1.93 $3.42

Lower Atlantic $--.-- $3.06

Midwest $2.01 $3.12

Gulf Coast $1.64 $3.19

Rocky Mountain $1.82 $2.97

West Coast $2.86 $3.23
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 14

Table 12. Comparison of Prices by Fuel Type, Region, and Station Type

Private Refueling Station Average 

Price

Public Refueling Station Average 

Price

Biodiesel (B20) ($/gallon) National Average $3.79 $3.82 

New England $3.82 $3.78

Central Atlantic $3.71 $3.93

Lower Atlantic $3.64 $3.68

Midwest $3.65 $3.63

Gulf Coast $3.57 $3.63

Rocky Mountain $3.70 $3.92

West Coast $4.04 $3.97

Biodiesel (B99/B100) ($/gallon) National Average $4.44 $4.20 

New England $--.-- $3.70

Central Atlantic $--.-- $5.45

Lower Atlantic $4.25 $4.02

Midwest $--.-- $3.42

Gulf Coast $4.43 $3.68

Rocky Mountain $4.20 $4.08

West Coast $4.89 $4.32
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 15

HISTORICAL ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICES FROM PREVIOUS REPORTS

The graphs on this page illustrate the historical prices for the alternative fuels included in these reports (specifically natural gas, 

propane, ethanol (E85), and biodiesel) relative to gasoline and diesel. These graphs include prices collected as part of the current Price 

Report activity, which began in September 2005. Natural gas (in GGE), propane, and ethanol (E85) have been graphed against 

gasoline prices, while natural gas (in DGE) and biodiesel have been graphed against diesel prices.

 $1.50

 $2.00

 $2.50

 $3.00

 $3.50

 $4.00

 $4.50 Jul-05 Oct-05 Jan-06 Apr-06 Jul-06 Oct-06 Jan-07 Apr-07 Jul-07 Oct-07 Jan-08 Apr-08 Jul-08 Oct-08 Jan-09 Apr-09 Jul-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Oct-10 Jan-11 Apr-11 Jul-11 Oct-11 Jan-12 Apr-12 Jul-12 Oct-12 Jan-13 Apr-13 Jul-13 Oct-13 Jan-14 Apr-14 Jul-14 Oct-14 Price per Gallon

Gasoline Natural Gas (GGE) Propane Ethanol (E85)

Alternative Fuel Prices versus Gasoline

 $1.50

 $2.00

 $2.50

 $3.00

 $3.50

 $4.00

 $4.50

 $5.00

 $5.50 Jul-05 Oct-05 Jan-06 Apr-06 Jul-06 Oct-06 Jan-07 Apr-07 Jul-07 Oct-07 Jan-08 Apr-08 Jul-08 Oct-08 Jan-09 Apr-09 Jul-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Oct-10 Jan-11 Apr-11 Jul-11 Oct-11 Jan-12 Apr-12 Jul-12 Oct-12 Jan-13 Apr-13 Jul-13 Oct-13 Jan-14 Apr-14 Jul-14 Oct-14 Price per Gallon

Diesel Natural Gas (DGE) Biodiesel (B20)

Biodiesel (B2/B5) Biodiesel (B99/B100)

Alternative Fuel Prices versus Diesel
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 16

ILLUSTRATION OF CONVERSION FACTORS FOR FUELS

The standard lower heating values for fuels from the Transportation Energy Data Book 30 are listed below.

Lower Heating Value

Gasoline 115,400 BTU/gal

Diesel 128,700 BTU/gal

Compressed Natural Gas 960 BTU/cubic foot

Ethanol 75,700 BTU/gal

Propane 83,500 BTU/gal

Biodiesel 117,093 BTU/gal

Conversion factors to establish prices in dollars per 

gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) are illustrated 

below, and were developed using the lower heating 

values outlined above. The conversion factors are 

derived in the manner shown in the graphic to the 

right.

In the case of CNG, prices are provided to us in 

GGE, so no conversion is necessary (the 

representative heating value of CNG is provided 

above as a reference). To convert a price from 

dollars per gallon to dollars per GGE, multiply the 

price per gallon of the alternative fuel by the 

conversion factor.

Conversion factor to 

GGE

CNG 1.00

Ethanol (E85) 1.41

Propane 1.38

Biodiesel (B20) 0.91

Biodiesel (B100) 0.99

Conversion factors to establish prices in dollars per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) are illustrated below, and were developed using 

the lower heating values outlined above. To convert a price from dollars per gallon to dollars per DGE, multiply the price per gallon of 

the alternative fuel by the conversion factor.

Conversion factor to 

DGE

CNG (in GGE) 1.12

Ethanol (E85) 1.58

Propane 1.54

Biodiesel (B20) 1.02

Biodiesel (B100) 1.10
Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report October 2014

Page 17

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge all of the contributors from the Clean Cities community who have provided prices for this 

report; we sincerely appreciate your continued dedication to the success of this report. The authors would also like to acknowledge the 

continued support of DOE for developing this report.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTICIPATE?

If you would like to provide prices for alternative fuels in your region and be part of the data collection effort for this report, or if you 

have any questions, please contact:

U.S. DOE, Clean Cities

EE-3V

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20585

Phone: (202) 586-6459

afpr@nwttech.com

DISCLAIMER

This document highlights work sponsored by agencies of the U.S. Government. Neither the U.S. Government nor any agency thereof, 

nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, 

completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe 

privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, 

manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. 

Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the 

U.S. Government or any agency thereof.