January 2009

Clean Cities Alternative 

Fuel Price Report
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 2

WELCOME!

Welcome to the January 2009 issue of the Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, a quarterly report designed to 

keep you up to date on the prices of alternative fuels and conventional fuels in the U.S. This issue summarizes 

prices that were collected between January 12, 2009 and January 30, 2009 from Clean Cities Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other Clean Cities stakeholders.

METHODOLOGY

In order to collect price information for 

both alternative fuels and conventional 

fuels from areas across the country, Clean 

Cities Coordinators, fuel providers, and 

other key stakeholders were contacted to 

request that they provide prices for fuels in 

their area on a voluntary basis. Prices were 

collected on all major alternative fuels 

currently in widespread use (natural gas, 

propane, biodiesel, and ethanol), as well as 

prices for conventional fuels at stations that 

also sell alternative fuels (or stations 

nearby). Prices were collected from public 

and private refueling stations throughout 

the country, and were collected between 

January 12, 2009 and January 30, 2009. 

Prices were then averaged in order to 

determine regional price trends by fuel and 

variability in fuel price within regions (and 

among regions). Prices in this report are 

grouped by U.S. areas as defined by the 

Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADD): the districts are illustrated in the map to the right.

The prices collected for this report 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 reported price. In these instances, although these users are not required to pay these 

taxes, the taxes were added to the reported price to provide a more representative basis for comparison of fuel 

prices for the purpose of this report. In some cases, states may charge a flat annual fee for motor fuel taxes 

(especially for gaseous fuels like CNG): these fees are not considered in the prices reported in these pages.
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

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SUMMARY OF CURRENT REPORT INFORMATION

Overall nationwide average prices for 

conventional and alternative fuels are 

shown in Table 1. 1

 As this table 

illustrates, alternative fuel prices 

relative to conventional fuels vary, 

with some (biodiesel, propane) higher 

and some (E85 and CNG) lower. CNG 

is about 23 cents less than gasoline on 

an energy-equivalent basis, while E85 

is about 5 cents less per gallon than 

gasoline. Propane is about 87 cents

per gallon more than gasoline. B20 

prices are higher than regular diesel

by about 22 cents. B99/B100 blends 

have a cost of about a dollar per 

gallon more than regular diesel, while B2/B5 blends are about the same price as diesel.

Relative to the last report from October 2008, the average prices for all of the fuels included in this price report 

have decreased, by as much as a dollar or more. It should be noted that the price increases or decreases could be 

attributed both to an actual increase in price and to a slightly differing sample of prices (both location and 

quantity).

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 of differing energy contents per gallon for 

these fuels, the price paid per unit of energy content 

can differ somewhat from the price paid per gallon. 

Table 2 illustrates the fuel prices from Table 1 for the 

current reporting period normalized to a price per 

gasoline-gallon equivalent, per diesel gallon 

equivalent, or per million Btu of energy. This 

calculation involves the use of nominal lower heating 

values in Btu per gallon of fuel which can be found in 

the Transportation Energy Data Book2

. Note that 

prices for the alternative fuels in terms of cost per 

gallon equivalent are generally higher than their cost 

per gallon because of their lower energy content per 

gallon3

 1 A very small sample of hydrogen information was received (8 prices total): average price for hydrogen was $12.32 per gge in this report. 2 A listing of the conversion factors used appears as an appendix at the end of this report.

3 For ethanol flexible-fuel vehicles, the actual difference in energy cost per mile is somewhat less than would be calculated simply on the difference in energy content 

of the fuels, as some sources have noted many 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 vehicle.

. It has been seen, however, that consumer 

interest in alternative fuels increases as the price differential per gallon increases, even if that differential does not 

directly translate to savings on an energy-equivalent basis.

Table 1. Overall Average Fuel Prices

Nationwide Average 

Price for Fuel This 

Report

Nationwide Average 

Price for Fuel Last 

Report

Change in Price 

This Report vs. 

Last Report

Units of 

Measurement

Gasoline (Regular) $1.86 $3.04 ($1.18) per gallon

Diesel $2.44 $3.65 ($1.21) per gallon

CNG $1.63 $2.01 ($0.37) per GGE

Ethanol (E85) $1.81 $2.82 ($1.01) per gallon

Propane $2.73 $3.38 ($0.65) per gallon

Biodiesel (B20) $2.67 $4.04 ($1.37) per gallon

Biodiesel (B2-B5) $2.45 $3.84 ($1.39) per gallon

Biodiesel (B99-B100) $3.47 $4.64 ($1.17) per gallon

Table 2. January 2009 Overall Average Fuel Prices on 

Energy-Equivalent Basis

Nationwide 

Average Price in 

Gasoline Gallon 

Equivalents

Nationwide 

Average Price in 

Diesel Gallon 

Equivalents

Nationwide 

Average Price in 

Dollars per Million 

Btu

Gasoline $1.86 $2.08 $16.13

Diesel $2.19 $2.44 $18.97

CNG $1.63 $1.82 $14.16

Ethanol (E85) $2.56 $2.86 $22.19

Propane $3.77 $4.21 $32.71

Biodiesel (B20) $2.43 $2.71 $21.09

Biodiesel (B2-B5) $2.20 $2.45 $19.06

Biodiesel (B99-B100) $3.42 $3.82 $29.67
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

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GASOLINE AND DIESEL PRICES

Average prices for gasoline 

and diesel as collected by 

Clean Cities coordinators 

and other stakeholders 

(supplemented where 

necessary with other 

reference sources for 

conventional fuels) are 

illustrated in Table 3.

These prices were collected 

from refueling stations 

selling both conventional 

fuels and alternative fuels, 

and from conventional 

fuel refueling stations near 

alternative fuel stations. 

Just over 300 price points 

were collected for gasoline and 200 for diesel, with average prices for gasoline ranging from a low of $1.66 per 

gallon in the Rocky Mountain region to a high of $2.09 per gallon in New England. Diesel prices ranged from 

$2.29 on the Gulf Coast to $2.83 in New England. 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. The information is, however, representative of refueling stations selling both alternative 

fuels and conventional fuels.

Table 4 illustrates average prices as provided by the DOE 

Energy Information Administration (EIA) on the petroleum 

information section of its website 

(http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/info_glance/pet

roleum.html). These prices are averages of prices from a 

selection of 800 retail fuel stations across the country. Note 

that the average nationwide price from EIA generally 

matches relatively closely with the averages from the 

station information collected from Clean Cities 

stakeholders. Comparisons in this document between 

conventional fuel prices and alternative fuel prices will be 

made using prices collected from Clean Cities 

representatives wherever possible, as these prices are most 

representative of stations selling both conventional and 

alternative fuels.

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 $2.09 / 0.60 44 $2.83 / 0.49 37

Central Atlantic $1.92 / 0.07 22 $2.65 / 0.17 11

Lower Atlantic $1.81 / 0.05 30 $2.33 / 0.18 31

Midwest $1.83 / 0.12 108 $2.36 / 0.35 70

Gulf Coast $1.80 / 0.23 17 $2.29 / 0.23 16

Rocky Mountain $1.66 / 0.11 57 $2.30 / 0.11 18

West Coast $2.04 / 0.26 37 $2.36 / 0.24 30

NATIONAL AVERAGE $1.86 / 0.29 315 $2.44 / 0.37 213

Table 4. EIA Gasoline and Diesel Price Averages

Gasoline Average 

Price from EIA, Week 

of 1/19/09

Diesel Average Price 

from EIA, Week of 

1/19/09

New England $1.86 $2.61

Central Atlantic $1.88 $2.51

Lower Atlantic $1.82 $2.30

Midwest $1.87 $2.26

Gulf Coast $1.74 $2.23

Rocky Mountain $1.61 $2.25

West Coast $2.00 $2.34

NATIONAL AVERAGE $1.83 $2.30
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

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COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (RELATIVE TO GASOLINE)

Average prices for 

compressed natural gas for 

vehicle use are illustrated 

in Table 5, grouped by 

region. Information on 

prices for regular gasoline 

as provided by Clean 

Cities representatives is 

also shown. These prices 

were collected from across 

the country from Clean 

Cities Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. Just over

200 CNG prices were 

collected in this report4

. 

As Table 5 illustrates by region, CNG has a lower price than gasoline for most regions of the country for which 

prices were obtained, with the largest difference ($0.78 per gge) being in the Rocky Mountain region. On average, 

CNG costs about $0.23 less than gasoline on a per gasoline gallon equivalent basis. Variability of CNG prices was 

higher (based on a standard deviation analysis) than variability of gasoline prices.

The map to the right illustrates some 

cost differentials by state for natural gas 

relative to gasoline, based on 

differentials between natural gas prices 

and gasoline prices for each state 

(versus the regional averages illustrated 

in Table 5). In this map, negative 

numbers represent costs for natural gas 

lower than costs for gasoline. States not 

highlighted with a color did not have 

any natural gas data points in the 

current report. As the map illustrates, 

CNG prices were favorable relative to 

gasoline for a number of states across 

the country, especially in the West.

 4 Prices for CNG were provided by the individual stakeholders in gasoline-gallon equivalents 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: these differences were not determined for this report, however. 

Table 5. Compressed Natural Gas 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

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data 

Points

Average Price

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data Points

New England $2.54 / 0.59 22 $2.09 / 0.60 44

Central Atlantic $1.98 / 0.24 46 $1.92 / 0.07 22

Lower Atlantic $1.66 / 0.25 7 $1.81 / 0.05 30

Midwest $1.82 / 0.34 26 $1.83 / 0.12 108

Gulf Coast $1.67 / 0.46 4 $1.80 / 0.23 17

Rocky Mountain $0.88 / 0.01 68 $1.66 / 0.11 57

West Coast $1.81 / 0.54 59 $2.04 / 0.26 37

NATIONAL AVERAGE $1.63 / 0.64 232 $1.86 / 0.29 315
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

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COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (RELATIVE TO DIESEL)

Average prices for 

compressed natural gas for 

vehicle use are illustrated 

in Table 6, grouped by 

region. Information on 

prices for conventional 

diesel fuel as provided by 

representatives from Clean 

Cities and supplemental 

sources is also shown. 

These prices were collected 

from across the country 

from Clean Cities 

Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. Note that 

the CNG prices in Table 6 are the same group of prices as for Table 5, but converted to a cost per diesel gallon 

equivalent basis, in order to compare directly with diesel prices. 

As Table 6 illustrates by region, CNG has a lower price than diesel for most regions of the country, with the largest 

difference ($1.31 per dge) being in the Rocky Mountain region. On average, CNG costs about $0.62 less than diesel

on a per diesel gallon equivalent basis. Based on standard deviation calculations, CNG appears to have had more 

variability in price during this time period relative to diesel fuel.

The map to the right illustrates some 

cost differentials by state for natural gas 

relative to diesel, based on differentials 

between natural gas prices and diesel

prices for each state (versus the regional 

averages illustrated in Table 6). In this 

map, negative numbers represent costs 

for natural gas lower than costs for 

diesel. States not highlighted with a 

color did not have any natural gas data 

points in the current report. As with 

the comparison to gasoline, natural gas 

prices relative to diesel were also 

favorable, as the map shows.

Table 6. Compressed Natural Gas 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

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data

Points

Average Price

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data Points

New England $2.83 / 0.66 22 $2.83 / 0.49 37

Central Atlantic $2.21 / 0.26 46 $2.65 / 0.17 11

Lower Atlantic $1.85 / 0.28 7 $2.33 / 0.18 31

Midwest $2.03 / 0.38 26 $2.36 / 0.35 70

Gulf Coast $1.86 / 0.51 4 $2.29 / 0.23 16

Rocky Mountain $0.98 / 0.01 68 $2.30 / 0.11 18

West Coast $2.02 / 0.6 59 $2.36 / 0.24 30

NATIONAL AVERAGE $1.82 / 0.71 232 $2.44 / 0.37 213
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 7

ETHANOL (E85)

Average prices for 

ethanol in an 85% blend 

with 15% gasoline (E85) 

are illustrated in Table 7, 

grouped by region. 

Information on prices 

for regular gasoline as 

provided by Clean Cities 

representatives is also 

shown. These prices 

were collected from 

across the country from 

Clean Cities 

Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. Almost 

300 prices for ethanol were collected in this data collection effort. 

Note that E85 has a lower average price per gallon than regular gasoline for some regions, and higher in others (see 

Table 7). On average, E85 is about 5 cents lower in price than regular gasoline on a per-gallon basis, with the 

largest average differential (50 cents) being found in New England. Based on the calculated standard deviations in 

this set of E85 price information, it can be seen that price variability for E85 was somewhat larger than the price 

variability for gasoline for the period.

The map to the right illustrates some cost 

differentials between E85 and regular 

gasoline by state, based on differentials 

between E85 prices and gasoline prices 

for each state (versus the regional 

averages illustrated in Table 7). In this 

map, negative numbers represent costs 

for E85 lower than for gasoline, and 

positive numbers represent costs for E85 

higher than gasoline. States not 

highlighted with a color did not have 

any E85 data points in the current report. 

In the time period for this report, E85 

cost less per gallon than gasoline for 

many areas for which prices were 

available: the best pricing was across the 

upper Midwest.

 

Table 7. Ethanol (E85) 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

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data 

Points

Average Price

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data Points

New England $1.59 / 0.00 2 $2.09 / 0.60 44

Central Atlantic $1.91 / 0.45 47 $1.92 / 0.07 22

Lower Atlantic $1.78 / 0.29 46 $1.81 / 0.05 30

Midwest $1.79 / 0.24 83 $1.83 / 0.12 108

Gulf Coast $1.77 / 0.35 10 $1.80 / 0.23 17

Rocky Mountain $1.68 / 0.39 80 $1.66 / 0.11 57

West Coast $2.19 / 0.58 27 $2.04 / 0.26 37

NATIONAL AVERAGE $1.81 / 0.39 295 $1.86 / 0.29 315
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 8

PROPANE

Average prices for 

propane are illustrated 

in Table 8, grouped by 

region. Information on 

prices for regular 

gasoline as provided by 

representatives from 

Clean Cities is also 

shown. These prices 

were collected from 

across the country from 

Clean Cities 

Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. About

130 propane prices were 

collected in this reporting period.

As Table 8 illustrates regionally, propane prices are slightly higher than gasoline in all regions. Overall, propane 

was about 87 cents per gallon more than gasoline. Based on calculations of standard deviation in prices, it can be 

seen that propane prices for vehicle use seems to have varied more than gasoline prices during this sampling 

period.

5

The map to the right illustrates some 

cost differentials between propane and 

regular gasoline on a per-gallon basis, 

based on differentials between propane 

prices and gasoline prices for each state 

(versus the regional averages illustrated 

in Table 8). In this map, negative 

numbers represent costs for propane 

lower than costs for 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. Propane prices were favorable 

in California, North Carolina, and West 

Virginia.

 5 Prices for propane in this report are from both private fleet refueling stations and public refueling sites that can provide propane for vehicles 

and for other uses. The prices at private stations are generally lower, and may be more representative of the prices the majority of propane 

vehicle users pay.

Table 8. Propane 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

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data 

Points

Average Price

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data Points

New England $2.97 / 0.47 9 $2.09 / 0.60 44

Central Atlantic $3.12 / 0.66 22 $1.92 / 0.07 22

Lower Atlantic $2.8 / 0.82 16 $1.81 / 0.05 30

Midwest $3.06 / 0.86 29 $1.83 / 0.12 108

Gulf Coast $2.33 / 0.34 9 $1.80 / 0.23 17

Rocky Mountain $2.25 / 0.34 26 $1.66 / 0.11 57

West Coast $2.5 / 1.05 22 $2.04 / 0.26 37

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.73 / 0.8 133 $1.86 / 0.29 315
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 9

BIODIESEL BLENDS: B20

Average prices for 

biodiesel in a 20% blend 

with 80% diesel (B20) 

are illustrated in Table 9, 

grouped by region. 

Information on prices 

for regular diesel as 

provided by Clean Cities 

representatives is also 

shown. These prices 

were collected from 

across the country from 

Clean Cities 

Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. Just 

over 100 prices were obtained for B20 across the country.

As Table 9 illustrates, biodiesel in a B20 blend has an average price per gallon that is somewhat more than

conventional diesel fuel (ranging from 5 to 37 cents more per gallon). Based on calculations of standard deviation 

on B20 prices, variability in B20 prices was a bit larger than the variability in price of conventional diesel by region. 

On average in the U.S., biodiesel in a B20 blend costs about 22 cents more per gallon than conventional diesel fuel

based on current information.

The map to the right illustrates some 

cost differentials between B20 and 

diesel on a per-gallon basis, based on 

differentials between biodiesel prices 

and gasoline prices for each state 

(versus the regional averages illustrated 

in Table 9). In this map, negative 

numbers represent costs for B20 lower 

than costs for 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

favorable pricing in Texas, Illinois, 

Kansas, Florida, and Maryland.

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 $3.12 / 0.58 17 $2.83 / 0.49 37

Central Atlantic $2.99 / 0.62 14 $2.65 / 0.17 11

Lower Atlantic $2.5 / 0.34 21 $2.33 / 0.18 31

Midwest $2.48 / 0.27 31 $2.36 / 0.35 70

Gulf Coast $2.33 / 0.32 9 $2.29 / 0.23 16

Rocky Mountain $2.51 / 0.22 11 $2.30 / 0.11 18

West Coast $2.72 / 0.47 28 $2.36 / 0.24 30

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.67 / 0.48 131 $2.44 / 0.37 213
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 10

BIODIESEL BLENDS: LOW-LEVEL (B2-B5)

Average prices for 

biodiesel in lower-level 

blends (2-5% biodiesel 

in diesel fuel) are 

illustrated in Table 10, 

grouped by region. 

Information on prices 

for regular diesel as 

provided by Clean Cities 

representatives is also 

shown. These prices 

were collected from 

across the country from 

Clean Cities 

Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. About 80 prices were obtained from areas offering low-level biodiesel blends.

As Table 10 illustrates regionally, average prices for low-level blends of biodiesel are relatively close to average diesel 

prices (from 26 cents more to 24 cents less than diesel per gallon). Differences in price between low-level biodiesel 

blends and regular diesel could be attributed to the relatively small sample size. New England had the most 

favorable price structure for low-level biodiesel blends during this time period (based on a small sample). 

The map to the right illustrates some 

cost differentials between low-level 

biodiesel blends and regular diesel on a 

per-gallon basis, based on differentials 

between biodiesel prices and gasoline 

prices for each state (versus the regional 

averages illustrated in Table 10). In this 

map, negative numbers represent costs 

for these blends that are lower than 

costs for diesel, and positive numbers 

represent prices for these blends that 

are higher than diesel. States not 

highlighted with a color did not have 

any low-level biodiesel blend data 

points in the current report. Favorable 

low-level biodiesel blend pricing may 

be found in several Northeast states.

Table 10. Biodiesel (B2-B5) Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources

Biodiesel (B2-B5) Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Diesel Information

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

Average Price

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data 

Points

Average Price

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data Points

New England $2.59 / 0.16 5 $2.83 / 0.49 37

Central Atlantic $2.45 / 0.21 27 $2.65 / 0.17 11

Lower Atlantic $2.5 / 0.24 13 $2.33 / 0.18 31

Midwest $2.3 / 0.16 12 $2.36 / 0.35 70

Gulf Coast $2.34 / 0.16 5 $2.29 / 0.23 16

Rocky Mountain $2.35 / 0.18 8 $2.30 / 0.11 18

West Coast $2.61 / 0.25 10 $2.36 / 0.24 30

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.45 / 0.22 80 $2.44 / 0.37 213
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 11

BIODIESEL BLENDS: B100/B99

Average prices for highlevel blends of biodiesel 

(99% or 100% biodiesel 

with diesel fuel) are 

illustrated in Table 11, 

grouped by region. 

Information on prices 

for regular diesel as 

provided by Clean Cities 

representatives is also 

shown. These prices 

were collected from 

across the country from 

Clean Cities 

Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. About 45 price points were collected from stations offering B99/B100 for sale across the country.

As Table 11 illustrates regionally, the cost of B99/B100 is generally more than the cost of diesel fuel per gallon in 

the regions for which data were collected, up to $1.70 more than diesel. On average across the nation, B99/B100 is 

about a dollar per gallon higher than regular diesel. Based on standard deviation calculations on these price points, 

it appears that prices for B99/B100 varied more widely in this time period than regular diesel. 

The map to the right illustrates some 

cost differentials between high-level 

biodiesel blends and regular diesel on a 

per-gallon basis, based on differentials 

between biodiesel prices and gasoline 

prices for each state (versus the regional 

averages illustrated in Table 11). In this 

map, negative numbers represent costs 

for these blends that are lower than 

costs for diesel, and positive numbers 

represent prices for these blends that 

are higher than diesel. States not 

highlighted with a color did not have 

any high-level biodiesel blend data 

points in the current report. Prices for 

B100 were favorable in Kansas for this 

report.

Table 11. Biodiesel (B99-B100) 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

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data 

Points

Average Price

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price

Number of Data Points

New England $3.17 / 0.26 2 $2.83 / 0.49 37

Central Atlantic $3.67 / 1.34 6 $2.65 / 0.17 11

Lower Atlantic $4.03 / 1.08 3 $2.33 / 0.18 31

Midwest $3.05 / 0.73 3 $2.36 / 0.35 70

Gulf Coast $2.49 / -.-- 1 $2.29 / 0.23 16

Rocky Mountain $-.-- / -.-- $2.30 / 0.11 18

West Coast $3.48 / 0.89 30 $2.36 / 0.24 30

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.47 / 0.93 45 $2.44 / 0.37 213
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 12

COMPARISON OF PRICES OF THIS REPORT VERSUS LAST REPORT

Table 12 below summarizes the average prices collected for this report by region, and compares them to prices 

collected in the Price Report from October 2008. Virtually all fuels decreased in price in each region in this time 

period. It should be noted that a portion of the price changes could be attributed to differing sample sizes and 

composition between the two reports.

Table 12. Comparison of Prices, Last Price Report versus Current Price Report

Price for January 2009 Period Price for October 2008 Period Price Differential January vs. 

October 

Gasoline ($ per gallon) National Average $1.86 $3.04 ($1.18) / (39%)

New England $2.09 $3.28 ($1.20) / (36%)

Central Atlantic $1.92 $3.09 ($1.17) / (38%)

Lower Atlantic $1.81 $3.19 ($1.39) / (43%)

Midwest $1.83 $2.82 ($0.99) / (35%)

Gulf Coast $1.80 $2.82 ($1.02) / (36%)

Rocky Mountain $1.66 $3.02 ($1.36) / (45%)

West Coast $2.04 $3.17 ($1.13) / (36%)

Diesel ($ per gallon) National Average $2.44 $3.65 ($1.21) / (33%)

New England $2.83 $3.94 ($1.11) / (28%)

Central Atlantic $2.65 $3.72 ($1.08) / (29%)

Lower Atlantic $2.33 $3.68 ($1.35) / (37%)

Midwest $2.36 $3.55 ($1.19) / (34%)

Gulf Coast $2.29 $3.48 ($1.19) / (34%)

Rocky Mountain $2.30 $3.67 ($1.37) / (37%)

West Coast $2.36 $3.50 ($1.14) / (33%)

Compressed Natural Gas ($ per GGE) National Average $1.63 $2.01 ($0.37) / (19%)

New England $2.54 $2.87 ($0.34) / (12%)

Central Atlantic $1.98 $2.75 ($0.77) / (28%)

Lower Atlantic $1.66 $2.40 ($0.74) / (31%)

Midwest $1.82 $1.88 ($0.06) / (3%)

Gulf Coast $1.67 $2.54 ($0.87) / (34%)

Rocky Mountain $0.88 $1.13 ($0.25) / (22%)

West Coast $1.81 $2.42 ($0.61) / (25%)

Ethanol (E85) ($ per gallon) National Average $1.81 $2.82 ($1.01) / (36%)

New England $1.59 $3.19 ($1.6) / (50%)

Central Atlantic $1.91 $2.89 ($0.98) / (34%)

Lower Atlantic $1.78 $3.17 ($1.39) / (44%)

Midwest $1.79 $2.60 ($0.81) / (31%)

Gulf Coast $1.77 $2.86 ($1.09) / (38%)

Rocky Mountain $1.68 $2.72 ($1.04) / (38%)

West Coast $2.19 $2.99 ($0.80) / (27%)

 

 

 

 
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 13

Table 12. Comparison of Prices, Last Price Report versus Current Price Report

Price for January 2009 Period Price for October 2008 Period Price Differential January vs. 

October 

Propane ($ per gallon) National Average $2.73 $3.38 ($0.65) / (19%)

New England $2.97 $3.91 ($0.94) / (24%)

Central Atlantic $3.12 $4.15 ($1.03) / (25%)

Lower Atlantic $2.80 $4.14 ($1.35) / (32%)

Midwest $3.06 $3.07 ($0.02) / (1%)

Gulf Coast $2.33 $3.26 ($0.93) / (29%)

Rocky Mountain $2.25 $2.91 ($0.66) / (23%)

West Coast $2.50 $2.95 ($0.45) / (15%)

Biodiesel (B20) ($ per gallon) National Average $2.67 $4.04 ($1.37) / (34%)

New England $3.12 $4.04 ($0.92) / (23%)

Central Atlantic $2.99 $3.83 ($0.84) / (22%)

Lower Atlantic $2.50 $3.87 ($1.38) / (36%)

Midwest $2.48 $4.03 ($1.56) / (39%)

Gulf Coast $2.33 $3.75 ($1.42) / (38%)

Rocky Mountain $2.51 $4.00 ($1.49) / (37%)

West Coast $2.72 $4.32 ($1.59) / (37%)

Biodiesel (B2-B5) ($ per gallon) National Average $2.45 $3.84 ($1.39) / (36%)

New England $2.59 $3.91 ($1.32) / (34%)

Central Atlantic $2.45 $3.75 ($1.3) / (35%)

Lower Atlantic $2.50 $3.86 ($1.36) / (35%)

Midwest $2.30 $3.82 ($1.52) / (40%)

Gulf Coast $2.34 $3.90 ($1.56) / (40%)

Rocky Mountain $2.35 $3.90 ($1.56) / (40%)

West Coast $2.61 $3.96 ($1.34) / (34%)

Biodiesel (B99-B100) ($ per gallon) National Average $3.47 $4.64 ($1.17) / (25%)

New England $3.17 $3.19 ($0.02) / (1%)

Central Atlantic $3.67 $4.60 ($0.93) / (20%)

Lower Atlantic $4.03 $4.23 ($0.20) / (5%)

Midwest $3.05 $3.91 ($0.86) / (22%)

Gulf Coast $2.49 $3.94 ($1.45) / (37%)

Rocky Mountain -- $5.99 N/A

West Coast $3.48 $4.92 ($1.44) / (29%)
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 14

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, 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 

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 

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 

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 JANUARY 2009

Page 15

ILLUSTRATION OF CONVERSION FACTORS FOR FUELS

The standard lower heating values for fuels from the Transportation Energy Databook 26 are listed below.

Lower Heating Value

Gasoline 115,400 BTU/gal

Diesel 128,700 BTU/gal

Compressed Natural Gas 960 BTU/cubic foot

Ethanol 75,670 BTU/gal

Propane 83,500 BTU/gal

Biodiesel 117,093 BTU/gal

Conversion factors to establish prices in dollars 

per gasoline equivalent gallon 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 gasoline equivalent gallon, multiply 

the price per gallon by the conversion factor.

Conversion factor to 

GGE

CNG 1.00

Ethanol (E85) 1.41

Propane 1.38

Biodiesel (B20) 0.91

Biodiesel (B2) 0.90

Biodiesel (B100) 0.99

Conversion factors to establish prices in dollars per diesel equivalent gallon are illustrated below, and were 

developed using the lower heating values outlined above. To convert a price from dollars per gallon to dollars per 

diesel equivalent gallon, multiply the price per gallon by the conversion factor.

Conversion factor to 

DGE

Ethanol (E85) 1.58

Propane 1.54

CNG (in GGE) 1.12

Biodiesel (B20) 1.02

Biodiesel (B2) 1.00

Biodiesel (B100) 1.10
CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JANUARY 2009

Page 16

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, please contact:

Michael D. Laughlin

New West Technologies, LLC

4351 Garden City Drive, Suite 600

Landover, MD 20785

(301) 429-1180 x26 (phone)

(301) 429-1185 (FAX)

mlaughlin@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.