Clean Cities Alternative 

Fuel Price Report 

July 2009
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

WELCOME! 

Welcome to the July 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 July 20, 2009 and July 31, 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 

July 20, 2009 and July 31, 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. 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

SUMMARY OF CURRENT REPORT INFORMATION 

Overall nationwide average prices for Table 1. Overall Average Fuel Prices 

conventional and alternative fuels are 

shown in Table 1. 1 As this table 

illustrates, alternative fuel prices 

relative to conventional fuels vary, Gasoline (Regular) $2.44 $2.02 $0.42 per gallon 

with some (biodiesel, propane) higher 

Nationwide Average Nationwide Average Change in Price Units of 

Price for Fuel This Price for Fuel Last This Report vs. Measurement 

Report Report Last Report 

Diesel $2.54 $2.27 $0.27 per gallon and some (E85 and CNG) lower. CNG 

CNG $1.73 $1.64 $0.09 per GGE is about 71 cents less than gasoline on 

an energy-equivalent basis, while E85 Ethanol (E85) $2.13 $1.88 $0.25 per gallon 

is about 31 cents less per gallon than Propane $2.48 $2.58 ($0.10) per gallon 

gasoline. Propane is about 4 cents per Biodiesel (B20) $2.69 $2.49 $0.20 per gallon gallon more than gasoline. B20 prices Biodiesel (B2-B5) $2.55 $2.28 $0.27 per gallon are higher than regular diesel by
 

about 15 cents. B99/B100 blends Biodiesel (B99-B100)
 $3.08 $3.27 ($0.19) per gallon 

have a cost of about 50 cents per
 

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

Relative to the last report from April 2009, the average prices for most of the fuels included in this price report have
 

increased by as much as 42 cents. 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 Table 2. July 2009 Overall Average Fuel Prices on Energythe units in which they are typically sold (dollars per Equivalent Basis 

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. 

Nationwide Nationwide Nationwide 

Average Price in Average Price in Average Price in 

Gasoline Gallon Diesel Gallon Dollars per Million 

Equivalents Equivalents Btu 

Gasoline $2.44 $2.72 $21.16 Table 2 illustrates the fuel prices from Table 1 for the 

current reporting period normalized to a price per Diesel $2.27 $2.54 $19.70 

gasoline-gallon equivalent, per diesel gallon CNG $1.73 $1.93 $14.98 

equivalent, or per million Btu of energy. This 

Ethanol (E85) $3.01 $3.36 $26.12 calculation involves the use of nominal lower heating 

Propane $3.43 $3.82 $29.69 values in Btu per gallon of fuel which can be found in 

the Transportation Energy Data Book2

. Note that Biodiesel (B20) $2.45 $2.74 $21.26 

prices for the alternative fuels in terms of cost per Biodiesel (B2-B5) $2.29 $2.56 $19.88 

gallon equivalent are generally higher than their cost Biodiesel (B99-B100) $3.03 $3.38 $26.26 per gallon because of their lower energy content per 

gallon3

. 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. 

1 A very small sample (5 points) of hydrogen information was received: average price for hydrogen was $14.74 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.
 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

GASOLINE AND DIESEL PRICES 

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

and diesel as collected by 

Clean Cities coordinators 

and other stakeholders 

(supplemented where 

necessary with other 

Regular Gasoline Information Diesel Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal) 

Average Price Number of Data Average Price Number of Data Points 

/ Standard Deviation Points / Standard Deviation 

of Price of Price 

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. 

New England $2.56 / 0.28 44 $2.64 / 0.27 31 

Central Atlantic $2.54 / 0.10 28 $2.62 / 0.12 13 

Lower Atlantic $2.32 / 0.07 37 $2.45 / 0.09 36 

Midwest $2.33 / 0.12 124 $2.50 / 0.22 62 

Gulf Coast $2.32 / 0.05 19 $2.41 / 0.11 17 

Rocky Mountain $2.41 / 0.10 57 $2.49 / 0.19 22 

West Coast $2.75 / 0.21 47 $2.66 / 0.29 29 

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.44 / 0.24 356 $2.54 / 0.19 210 

Just over 350 price points 

were collected for gasoline and 200 for diesel, with average prices for gasoline ranging from a low of $2.32 per 

gallon in the Gulf Coast to a high of $2.75 per gallon on the West Coast. Diesel prices ranged from $2.41 on the 

Gulf Coast to $2.66 on the West Coast. 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 Table 4. EIA Gasoline and Diesel Price Averages 

Energy Information Administration (EIA) on the petroleum 

information section of its website 

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

Gasoline Average Diesel Average Price 

Price from EIA, Week from EIA, Week of 

of 7/20/09 7/20/09 

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. 

New England $2.52 $2.60 

Central Atlantic $2.52 $2.63 

Lower Atlantic $2.41 $2.46 

Midwest $2.36 $2.47 

Gulf Coast $2.32 $2.44 

Rocky Mountain $2.52 $2.56 

West Coast $2.77 $2.60 

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.46 $2.50 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (RELATIVE TO GASOLINE) 

Average prices for Table 5. Compressed Natural Gas Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources 

compressed natural gas for 

vehicle use are illustrated 

in Table 5, grouped by 

region. Information on 

prices for regular gasoline 

as provided by Clean New England $1.95 / 0.47 13 $2.56 / 0.28 

Regular Gasoline Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal) 

Natural Gas (CNG) Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gge) 

Average Price 

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price 

Number of Data 

Points 

Average Price 

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price 

Number of Data Points 

44 

Cities representatives is Central Atlantic $1.95 / 0.31 56 $2.54 / 0.10 28 

also shown. These prices Lower Atlantic $1.66 / 0.34 6 $2.32 / 0.07 37 were collected from across 

the country from Clean Midwest $1.63 / 0.44 27 $2.33 / 0.12 124 

Cities Coordinators, fuel Gulf Coast $1.92 / 0.18 19 $2.32 / 0.05 19 

providers, and other Rocky Mountain $1.27 / 0.31 102 $2.41 / 0.10 57 stakeholders on a 

West Coast $2.01 / 0.23 109 $2.75 / 0.21 47 voluntary basis. Just over 

300 CNG prices were NATIONAL AVERAGE $1.73 / 0.51 332 $2.44 / 0.24 356 

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 ($1.14 per gge) being in the Rocky Mountain region. On average, 

CNG costs about $0.71 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. 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (RELATIVE TO DIESEL) 

Average prices for Table 6. Compressed Natural Gas Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources 

compressed natural gas for 

vehicle use are illustrated 

in Table 6, grouped by 

region. Information on 

prices for conventional 

diesel fuel as provided by New England $2.17 / 0.52 13 $2.64 / 0.27 

Diesel Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal) 

Natural Gas (CNG) Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($/dge) 

Average Price 

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price 

Number of Data 

Points 

Average Price 

/ Standard Deviation 

of Price 

Number of Data Points 

31 

representatives from Clean Central Atlantic $2.17 / 0.34 56 $2.62 / 0.12 13 

Cities and supplemental Lower Atlantic $1.85 / 0.38 6 $2.45 / 0.09 36 sources is also shown. 

These prices were collected Midwest $1.81 / 0.50 27 $2.50 / 0.22 62 

from across the country Gulf Coast $2.14 / 0.21 19 $2.41 / 0.11 17 

from Clean Cities Rocky Mountain $1.42 / 0.35 102 $2.49 / 0.19 22 Coordinators, fuel West Coast $2.25 / 0.26 109 $2.66 / 0.29 29 providers, and other 

stakeholders on a NATIONAL AVERAGE $1.93 / 0.56 332 $2.54 / 0.19 210 

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 ($1.07 per dge) being in the Rocky Mountain region. On average, CNG costs about $0.61 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. 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

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 

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

Ethanol (E85) Information Regular Gasoline Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) 

Average Price Number of Data Average Price Number of Data Points 

/ Standard Deviation Points / Standard Deviation 

of Price of Price 

New England $3.08 / 1.50 2 $2.56 / 0.28 44 

Central Atlantic $2.18 / 0.27 50 $2.54 / 0.10 28 

Lower Atlantic $2.23 / 0.17 48 $2.32 / 0.07 37 

Midwest $2.05 / 0.20 105 $2.33 / 0.12 124 

Gulf Coast $2.01 / 0.28 15 $2.32 / 0.05 19 

Rocky Mountain $2.05 / 0.16 66 $2.41 / 0.10 57 

Coordinators, fuel West Coast $2.31 / 0.47 38 $2.75 / 0.21 47 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. Just 

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

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.13 / 0.29 324 $2.44 / 0.24 356 

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

Table 7). On average, E85 is about 31 cents lower in price than regular gasoline on a per-gallon basis, with the 

largest average differential (44 cents) being found on the West Coast. 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. 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

PROPANE 

Average prices for Table 8. Propane Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources 

propane are illustrated 

in Table 8, grouped by 

region. Information on 

prices for regular 

gasoline as provided by 

Propane Information Regular Gasoline Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) 

Average Price Number of Data Average Price Number of Data Points 

/ Standard Deviation Points / Standard Deviation 

of Price of Price 

New England $2.51 / 0.42 8 $2.56 / 0.28 44 representatives from 

Clean Cities is also Central Atlantic $3.00 / 0.97 25 $2.54 / 0.10 28 

shown. These prices Lower Atlantic $2.80 / 0.81 15 $2.32 / 0.07 37 

were collected from Midwest $2.70 / 0.70 36 $2.33 / 0.12 124 across the country from Gulf Coast $1.92 / 0.61 43 $2.32 / 0.05 19 Clean Cities 

Coordinators, fuel Rocky Mountain $2.18 / 0.49 29 $2.41 / 0.10 57

providers, and other West Coast $2.69 / 1.14 34 $2.75 / 0.21 47 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. About 

190 propane prices were 

collected in this reporting period. 

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.48 / 0.87 190 $2.44 / 0.24 356 

As Table 8 illustrates regionally, propane prices are somewhat higher than gasoline in some regions and lower in 

others. Overall, propane was about 4 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 Texas and the Southwest. 

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. 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

BIODIESEL BLENDS: B20 

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

biodiesel in a 20% blend 

with 80% diesel (B20) 

are illustrated in Table 9, 

grouped by region. 

Information on prices 

Biodiesel (B20) Information Diesel Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) 

Average Price Approximate Number Average Price Approximate Number of 

/ Standard Deviation of Stations / Standard Deviation Stations 

of Price of Price 

New England $2.53 / 0.57 18 $2.64 / 0.27 31 for regular diesel as 

provided by Clean Cities Central Atlantic $3.16 / 0.72 15 $2.62 / 0.12 13 

representatives is also Lower Atlantic $2.52 / 0.28 21 $2.45 / 0.09 36 

shown. These prices Midwest $2.46 / 0.13 29 $2.50 / 0.22 62 were collected from 

Gulf Coast $2.42 / 0.29 7 $2.41 / 0.11 17 across the country from 

Clean Cities Rocky Mountain $2.60 / 0.18 18 $2.49 / 0.19 22 

Coordinators, fuel West Coast $2.99 / 0.69 31 $2.66 / 0.29 29 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. Just 

under 140 prices were obtained for B20 across the country. 

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.69 / 0.50 139 $2.54 / 0.19 210 

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

conventional diesel fuel in most regions (ranging from 11 cents below to 53 cents more per gallon). Based on 

calculations of standard deviation on B20 prices, variability in B20 prices was larger than the variability in price of 

conventional diesel by region. On average in the U.S., biodiesel in a B20 blend costs about 15 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 Missouri and in the 

Rocky Mountains. 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

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 

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

Biodiesel (B2 B5) Information Diesel Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) 

Average Price Number of Data Average Price Number of Data Points 

/ Standard Deviation Points / Standard Deviation 

of Price of Price 

New England $2.50 / 0.16 4 $2.64 / 0.27 31 

Central Atlantic $2.59 / 0.26 20 $2.62 / 0.12 13 

Lower Atlantic $2.47 / 0.15 16 $2.45 / 0.09 36 

Midwest $2.48 / 0.16 26 $2.50 / 0.22 62 

Gulf Coast $2.46 / 0.14 6 $2.41 / 0.11 17 

across the country from Rocky Mountain $2.48 / 0.21 4 $2.49 / 0.19 22

Clean Cities West Coast $2.74 / 0.31 19 $2.66 / 0.29 29 

Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. Almost 100 prices were obtained from areas offering low-level biodiesel blends. 

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.55 / 0.22 95 $2.54 / 0.19 210 

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

prices (from 9 cents more to 15 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 Illinois and Maryland. 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

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 

Table 11. Biodiesel (B99-B100) Average Prices by Region from Clean Cities Sources 

Biodiesel (B99 B100) Information Diesel Information 

Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) 

Average Price Number of Data Average Price Number of Data Points 

/ Standard Deviation Points / Standard Deviation 

of Price of Price 

New England $3.25 / 2.05 2 $2.64 / 0.27 31 

Central Atlantic $3.06 / 1.22 11 $2.62 / 0.12 13 

Lower Atlantic $2.91 / 1.09 5 $2.45 / 0.09 36 

Midwest $2.76 / 0.54 3 $2.50 / 0.22 62 

Gulf Coast $2.19 / -.-­ 1 $2.41 / 0.11 17 

across the country from Rocky Mountain $3.10 / 1.40 5 $2.49 / 0.19 22

Clean Cities West Coast $3.17 / 0.52 25 $2.66 / 0.29 29 

Coordinators, fuel 

providers, and other 

stakeholders on a 

voluntary basis. Just over 50 price points were collected from stations offering B99/B100 for sale across the 

country. 

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.08 / 0.62 52 $2.54 / 0.19 210 

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 $0.61 more than diesel. On average across the nation, B99/B100 is 

about 54 cents 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 several states for 

this report. 

Page 11 
 

 

 

 

 

CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

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 April 2009. 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 July 2009 Period Price for April 2009 Period Price Differential July vs. April 

Gasoline ($ per gallon) National Average 

New England 

Central Atlantic 

Lower Atlantic 

Midwest 

Gulf Coast 

Rocky Mountain 

West Coast 

$2.44 

$2.56 

$2.54 

$2.32 

$2.33 

$2.32 

$2.41 

$2.75 

$2.02 

$2.09 

$2.11 

$1.99 

$1.96 

$1.96 

$1.99 

$2.14 

$0.42 / 21% 

$0.47 / 22% 

$0.43 / 20% 

$0.33 / 16% 

$0.37 / 19% 

$0.35 / 18% 

$0.43 / 21% 

$0.62 / 29% 

Diesel ($ per gallon) National Average 

New England 

Central Atlantic 

Lower Atlantic 

Midwest 

Gulf Coast 

Rocky Mountain 

West Coast 

$2.54 

$2.64 

$2.62 

$2.45 

$2.50 

$2.41 

$2.49 

$2.66 

$2.27 

$2.46 

$2.47 

$2.19 

$2.19 

$2.18 

$2.21 

$2.35 

$0.27 / 12% 

$0.18 / 7% 

$0.15 / 6% 

$0.26 / 12% 

$0.32 / 14% 

$0.23 / 10% 

$0.28 / 13% 

$0.31 / 13% 

Compressed Natural Gas ($ per GGE) National Average 

New England 

Central Atlantic 

Lower Atlantic 

Midwest 

Gulf Coast 

Rocky Mountain 

West Coast 

$1.73 

$1.95 

$1.95 

$1.66 

$1.63 

$1.92 

$1.27 

$2.01 

$1.64 

$2.30 

$2.02 

$1.61 

$1.72 

$1.57 

$1.15 

$1.75 

$0.09 / 6% 

($0.35) / (15%) 

($0.07) / (4%) 

$0.06 / 3% 

($0.1) / (6%) 

$0.35 / 22% 

$0.12 / 11% 

$0.26 / 15% 

Ethanol (E85) ($ per gallon) National Average $2.13 $1.88 $0.25 / 13% 

New England $3.08 $2.55 $0.52 / 20% 

Central Atlantic $2.18 $1.98 $0.20 / 10% 

Lower Atlantic $2.23 $1.86 $0.38 / 20% 

Midwest $2.05 $1.83 $0.21 / 12% 

Gulf Coast $2.01 $1.73 $0.29 / 17% 

Rocky Mountain $2.05 $1.78 $0.27 / 15% 

West Coast $2.31 $2.14 $0.17 / 8% 

Page 12 
 

 

 

 

 

CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

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

Price for July 2009 Period Price for April 2009 Period Price Differential July vs. April 

Propane ($ per gallon) National Average $2.48 $2.58 ($0.10) / (4%) 

New England $2.51 $2.87 ($0.37) / (13%) 

Central Atlantic $3.00 $2.96 $0.05 / 2% 

Lower Atlantic $2.80 $2.83 ($0.04) / (1%) 

Midwest $2.70 $2.63 $0.07 / 3% 

Gulf Coast $1.92 $2.21 ($0.29) / (13%) 

Rocky Mountain $2.18 $2.23 ($0.06) / (3%) 

West Coast $2.69 $2.48 $0.21 / 9% 

Biodiesel (B20) ($ per gallon) National Average 

New England 

Central Atlantic 

Lower Atlantic 

Midwest 

Gulf Coast 

Rocky Mountain 

West Coast 

$2.69 

$2.53 

$3.16 

$2.52 

$2.46 

$2.42 

$2.60 

$2.99 

$2.49 

$2.51 

$3.03 

$2.30 

$2.20 

$2.14 

$2.40 

$2.77 

$0.20 / 8% 

$0.02 / 1% 

$0.12 / 4% 

$0.22 / 9% 

$0.26 / 12% 

$0.29 / 13% 

$0.20 / 8% 

$0.22 / 8% 

Biodiesel (B2-B5) ($ per gallon) National Average 

New England 

Central Atlantic 

Lower Atlantic 

Midwest 

Gulf Coast 

Rocky Mountain 

West Coast 

$2.55 

$2.50 

$2.59 

$2.47 

$2.48 

$2.46 

$2.48 

$2.74 

$2.28 

$2.37 

$2.33 

$2.19 

$2.20 

$2.20 

$2.37 

$2.35 

$0.27 / 12% 

$0.13 / 5% 

$0.27 / 11% 

$0.28 / 13% 

$0.28 / 13% 

$0.26 / 12% 

$0.11 / 5% 

$0.39 / 17% 

Biodiesel (B99-B100) ($ per gallon) National Average 

New England 

Central Atlantic 

Lower Atlantic 

Midwest 

Gulf Coast 

Rocky Mountain 

West Coast 

$3.08 

$3.25 

$3.06 

$2.91 

$2.76 

$2.19 

$3.10 

$3.17 

$3.27 

$4.14 

$3.73 

$2.90 

$2.65 

$1.99 

$3.86 

$3.21 

($0.19) / (6%) 

($0.90) / (22%) 

($0.67) / (18%) 

$0.01 / 1% 

$0.12 / 4% 

$0.20 / 10% 

($0.76) / (20%) 

($0.04) / (1%) 

Page 13 
 

 

 

 

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CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

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

Gaso ine 

Natura Gas (GGE) 

Propane 

Ethano (E85) 

Alternative 

Fue Prices 

versus 

Gasoline 

$1.50 

$2.00 

$2.50 

$3.00 

$3.50 

$4.00 

$4.50 

$5.00 

$5.50 

Sep 05 

Nov 05 

Jan 06 

Mar 06 

May 06 

Ju 06 

Sep 06 

Nov 06 

Jan 07 

Mar 07 

May 07 

Ju 07 

Sep 07 

Nov 07 

Jan 08 

Mar 08 

May 08 

Ju 08 

Sep 08 

Nov 08 

Jan 09 

Mar 09 

May 09 

Ju 09 

Price per Gallon

Diesel 

Natura Gas (DGE) 

B od ese (B20) 

B od ese (B2/B5) 

B od ese (B99/B100) 

Alternative 

Fue Prices 

versus 

Diesel 

Page 14 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

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
 

Page 15 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT JULY 2009 

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 (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. 

Page 16