# October 200 8 

# Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 2 

### WELCOME!

Welcome to the October 200 8 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 i ssue summarizes prices that were collected between October 2 , 200 8 and October 16 , 200 8 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 al ternative 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

October 2 , 2008 and October 16 , 2008

. 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 th is 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 fu el, 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 p ay 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 OCTOBER 2008

Page 3 

## SUMMARY OF CURRENT REPORT INFORMATION

Overall nationwide average prices for

conventional and alternative fuels are

shown in T able 1. 1 

### As this table illustrates, al ternative fuel prices relative to conventional fuels vary, with some (biodiesel , propane ) higher and some (E85 and CNG) lower

. CNG

is about $1. 03 less than gasoline on

a n energy

- equivalent basis, while E85

is about 22 cents less per gallon than gasoline. Propane is about 34 cent s per gallon more than gasoline. B2/B5 prices and B20 prices are higher than regular diesel by about 2 0 to 40 cent s

. B99/B100 blends have a cost of about

a dollar per gallon more than regular diesel.

Relative to the last report from July 200 8

, the average prices for all of the fuels included in this price report have

decreased

, by as much as a dollar (except propane) . It should be noted that the price increase s 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 di ffering 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

g asoline

- 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 Book 2 

### . Note that
price s 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 gallon 3

1 A very small sample of hydrogen information was received (6 prices total): average price for hydrogen was $16.27 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 wo uld 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 tha n on gasoline. This effect is not currently included in these calcula tions as the magnitude of the effect varies by vehicle. 

### . It has been seen, however, that consumer interest in alternative fuels increases as the p rice 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) $3.04 $3.91 ($0.87) per gallon

Diesel $3.65 $4.71 ($1.06) per gallon

CNG $2.01 $2.34 ($0.33) per GGE

Ethanol (E85) $2.82 $3.27 ($0.45) per gallon

Propane $3.38 $3.14 $0.24 per gallon

Biodiesel (B20) $4.04 $4.66 ($0.62) per gallon

Biodiesel (B2

- B5) $3.84 $4.69 ($0.85) per gallon

Biodiesel (B99

- B100) $4.64 $4.88 ($0.24) per gallon



### Table 2. October 2008 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

G asoline $3.04 $3.39 $26.33

Diesel $3.27 $3.65 $28.38

CNG $2.01 $2.24 $17.37

Ethanol (E85) $3.99 $4.44 $34.53

Propane $4.67 $5.21 $40.46

Biodiesel (B20) $3.69 $4.11 $31.94

Biodiesel (B2

- B5) $3.45 $3.85 $29.89

Biodiesel (B99

- B100) $4.58 $5.10 $39.66

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 4 

## GASOLINE AND DIESEL PRICES

Average prices for gasoline and diesel as collected by

Clean Cities coordinators

and othe r stakeholders ( supplemented where necessary with other

reference sources for conventional fuels) are illustrated in T able 3

. These prices were collected from refueling stations selling both conventional fuels and alternative fuels,

and from conventional

f uel refueling stations near

alternative fuel stations.
Just over 3 00 price points were collected for gasoline and 2 5 0 for diesel , with average prices for gasoline ranging from a low of $ 2

. 8 2 per gallon in the Midwest /Gulf Coast region s to a high of $ 3

. 2 8 per gallon i n New England . Diesel prices ranged from

$ 3

. 4 8 in the G ulf Coast region to $ 3

. 9 4 in N ew England

. Because prices for conventional fuels were collected from stations and regions providing alternative fuel price information, data co llection was not uniform across the regions of the country. The information is, however, representative of refueling stations selling both alternative

fuels and conventional fuels.

T able 4 illustrates average prices as provided by the DOE Energy Informa tion 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 avera ges 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. C omparisons 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 Da ta

Points Average Price

/ Standard Deviation

of Price Number of Data Points

New England $3.28 / 0.37 48 $3.94 / 0.31 43

Central Atlantic $3.09 / 0.21 29 $3.72 / 0.26 18

Lower Atlantic $3.19 / 0.45 36 $3.68 / 0.33 36

Midwest $2.82 / 0.38 91 $3.55 / 0.34 60

Gulf Coast $2.82 / 0.34 22 $3.48 / 0.23 20

Rocky Mountain $3.02 / 0.19 43 $3.67 / 0.19 36

West Coast $3.17 / 0.28 53 $3.5 0 / 0.36 36

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.04 / 0.38 322 $3.65 / 0.34 250



### Table 4. EIA Gasoline and Diesel Price Averages

Gasoline Average
Price from EIA, Week

of 1 0 / 13

/ 08 Diesel Average Price from EIA, Week of

1 0

/ 1 3

/08

New England $ 3.10 $3.89

Central Atlantic $3.19 $3.79

Lower Atlantic $3.29 $3.66

Midwest $2.99 $3.64

Gulf Coast $2.99 $3.63

Rocky Mountain $3.27 $3.70

West Coast $3.42 $3.62

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.15 $3.66

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 5 

## 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 represe ntatives 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

t wo hundred CNG prices

were collected in this

report 4



### .

As Table 5 illust rates by region , CNG has a lower price than gasoline for all regions of the country for which prices

were obtained , with the largest difference ($ 1

. 8 8 per gge) being in the Rocky Mountain region . On average, CNG

costs about $ 1

. 0 3 less than gasoline on a p er 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 gasolin e , 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 highlig hted 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 m ost of the states for which

information was collected.

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 f or th is report, however. 

### Table 5. Compressed Natural Gas Average Prices by Region from Clean Citie s 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 o f Data Points

New England $2.87 / 1.17 13 $3.28 / 0.37 48

Central Atlantic $2.75 / 0.75 46 $3.09 / 0.21 29

Lower Atlantic $2.4 0 / 0.74 8 $3.19 / 0.45 36

Midwest $1.88 / 0.39 22 $2.82 / 0.38 91

Gulf Coast $2.54 / 0.11 5 $2.82 / 0.34 22

Rocky Mountain $1.13 / 0.65 79 $3.02 / 0.19 43

West Coast $2.42 / 0.51 49 $3.17 / 0.28 53

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.01 / 0.96 222 $3.04 / 0.38 322

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 6 

## COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (RELATIVE TO DIES EL)

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.

Thes e 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 diese l 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 all regions of the country

, with the largest difference ($ 2

. 4 0 per d ge) being in the Rocky Mountain regio n . On average, CNG costs about $ 1

. 4 2 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 r ight 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 r epresent 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 G as (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 $3.2 0 / 1.31 13 $3.94 / 0.31 43

Central Atlantic $3.07 / 0.84 46 $3.72 / 0.26 18

Lower Atlantic $2.67 / 0.83 8 $3.68 / 0.33 36

Midwest $2.1 0 / 0.44 22 $3.55 / 0.34 60

Gulf Coast $2.83 / 0.12 5 $3.48 / 0.23 20

Rocky Mountain $1.26 / 0.73 79 $3.67 / 0.19 36

West Coast $2.7 0 / 0.56 49 $3.5 0 / 0.36 36

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.24 / 1.07 222 $3.65 / 0.34 250

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 7 

## ETHANOL (E85)

Average prices for

ethanol in an 85% blend with 15% gasoline (E85)

are illustrated in T able 7

, grouped by region

. Information on prices for regular gasoline as provided by Clean Cities representatives i s also

shown. These pr i ces were collected from across the country from

Clean Cities Coordinators, fuel providers, and other

stakeholders on a voluntary basis. Over

2 00 prices for ethanol were collected in this data collection effort.

Note that E85 has a lower average price per gallon than regular gasoline in all regions exce pt the G u lf C oast (see

T able 7 ) . On average, E85 is about 2 2 cents lower in price than regular gasoline on a per

- gallon basis, with the largest average differential ( 3 0 cents) being found in the R ocky Mountain region

. 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

differential s between E85 and regular gasoline by state , based on diff erentials 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 much of the area for which prices were available: the best pricing was in the

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

Ethanol (E85) Information Reported by Clean Citi es ($ 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 $3.19 / 1.19 2 $3.28 / 0.37 48

Central Atlantic $2.89 / 0.54 36 $3.09 / 0.21 29

L ower Atlantic $3.17 / 0.37 39 $3.19 / 0.45 36

Midwest $2.6 0 / 0.4 0 75 $2.82 / 0.38 91

Gulf Coast $2.86 / 0.42 10 $2.82 / 0.34 22

Rocky Mountain $2.72 / 0.35 55 $3.02 / 0.19 43

West Coast $2.99 / 0.36 29 $3.17 / 0.28 53

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.82 / 0.46 246 $3.04 / 0.38 322

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

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

1 2 0 propane prices were collected in this reporting period

.

As Table 8 illustrates regionally , propane prices are s lightly higher in most regions except the R ocky Mountain and

W est Coast regions

. Overall, propane was about 34 cents per gallon m ore than gasoline. The W est Coast ha d the most favorable price situation in this report , with propane at $ 0

. 2 2 per gallon less than gasoline on average. Base d on calculations of standard deviation in prices, it can be seen that pro pane prices for vehicle use seems to have

varied more than gasoline prices during this sampling period

. 5



### T he map to the right illustrates some cost differentials between propane an d 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 fo r 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 generally

favorable i n the West

.

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 mor e 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 Infor mation 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 $3.91 / 0.66 9 $3.28 / 0.37 48

Central Atlantic $4.15 / 0.84 21 $3.09 / 0.21 29

Lower Atlantic $4.14 / 0.94 12 $3.19 / 0.45 36

Midwest $3.07 / 0.53 26 $2.82 / 0.38 91

Gulf Coast $3.26 / 0.8 0 9 $2.82 / 0.34 22

Rocky Mountain $2.91 / 0.55 26 $3.02 / 0.19 43

West Coast $2.95 / 0.97 21 $3.17 / 0.28 53

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.38 / 0.9 0 124 $3.04 / 0.38 322

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

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 1 5 0 p rices were obtained for B20 across the country.

As Table 9 illustrates, biodiesel in a B20 blend has a n ave rage price per gallon that is s omewhat more than

conventional diesel fuel (ranging from 1 0 to 80 cents more per gallon) . Based on calculations of standard deviation on B20 prices, variability in B20 prices was a bit larger than the variability i n price of conventional diesel by region. On average in the U.S., biodiesel in a B20 blend costs about 3 8 cents m ore per gallon than conventional diesel fuel

based on current information

.

The map to the right illustrates some

cost differentials between B 20 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 diese l, 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 ha d favorable pricing in T exas, Illinois, Georgia, New York, Connecticut, and New Hampshire

. 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 $4.04 / 0.41 19 $3.94 / 0.31 43

Central Atlantic $3.83 / 0.5 0 14 $3.72 / 0.26 18

Lower Atlantic $3.87 / 0.29 26 $3.68 / 0.33 36

Midwest $4.03 / 0.38 18 $3.55 / 0.34 60

Gulf Coast $3.75 / 0.55 7 $3.48 / 0.23 20

Ro cky Mountain $4 .00 / 0.43 34 $3.67 / 0.19 36

West Coast $4.32 / 0.68 36 $3.5 0 / 0.36 36

NATIONAL AVERAGE $4.04 / 0.51 154 $3.65 / 0.34 250

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 10 

## BIODIESEL BLENDS : LO W

- 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. Just over 8 0 p rices were obtained from areas offering low

- level biodiesel blends.

As Table 10 illustrates regiona lly

, average prices for low

- level blends of biodiesel are relatively close to average diesel prices (from 5 0 cents more to 3 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. N ew 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

cos ts 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. Pricing appears to be good i n California and

New York

. 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 $3.91 / 0.22 3 $3.94 / 0.31 43

Central Atlantic $3.75 / 0.26 25 $3.72 / 0.26 18

Lower Atlantic $3.86 / 0.38 17 $3.68 / 0.33 36

Midwest $3.82 / 0.43 16 $3.55 / 0.34 60

Gulf Coast $3.9 0 / 0.2 0 4 $3.48 / 0.23 20

Rocky Mountain $3.9 0 / 0.28 7 $3.67 / 0.19 36

West Coa st $3.96 / 0.4 0 12 $3.5 0 / 0.36 36

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.84 / 0.34 84 $3.65 / 0.34 250

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 11 

## BIODIESEL BLENDS: B100/B99

Average prices for high

level blends of biodiesel (99% or 100% biodiesel with diesel fuel) are illustrated in Table 1 1

, 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. J ust over 50 p rice points were collected from stations offering B 99/B100 for sale across the

country.

As Table 1 1 illustrates regionally, the cost of B99/B100 is generally m ore than the cost of diesel fuel per gallon in

the regions for which data were collected , ranging from 7 5 cents less to $ 2 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 ma p 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 1 1 ) . 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 areas of the country

. 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 $3.19 / 0.71 2 $3.94 / 0.31 43

Central Atlantic $4.6 / 0.83 9 $3.72 / 0.26 18

Lower Atlantic $4.23 / 0.9 0 3 $3.68 / 0.33 36

Midwest $3.91 / 0.86 6 $3.55 / 0.34 60

Gulf Coast $3.94 / 0.78 2 $3.48 / 0.23 20

Rocky Mountain $5.99 /

-

. -- 1 $3.67 / 0.19 36

West Coast $4.92 / 0.67 33 $3.5 0 / 0.36 36

NATIONAL AVE RAGE $4.64 / 0.85 56 $3.65 / 0.34 250

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 12 

## COMPARISON OF PRICES OF THIS REPORT VERSUS LAST REPORT

Table 12 below summarizes the average prices collected for this report by r egion, and compares them to prices collected in the Price Report from J uly 200 8

. Virtually all fuels increased in price somewhat in each region between July 200 8 and O ctober 2008

. It should be noted that a portion of the price changes could be attributed to differing sample sizes and compo sition between the two reports.

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

Price for O ctober 2008 Period Price for J uly 2008 Period Price Differential O ctober vs. J uly

Gasoline ($ per gallon) National Average $3.04 $3.91 ( $ 0.87 ) / ( 22% )

New England $3.28 $4.09 ( $ 0.81 ) / ( 20% )

Central Atlantic $3.09 $4.06 ( $ 0.97 ) / ( 24% )

Lower Atlantic $3.19 $3.90 ( $ 0.71 ) / ( 18% )

Midwest $2.82 $3.84 ( $ 1.02 ) / ( 26% )

Gulf Coast $2.82 $3.85 ( $ 1.03 ) / ( 27% )

Rocky Mountain $3.02 $4.00 ( $ 0.98 ) / ( 25% )

West Coast $3.17 $4.09 ( $ 0.92 ) / ( 23% )

Diesel ($ per gallon) National Average $3.65 $4.71 ( $ 1.06 ) / ( 22% )

New England $3.94 $4.86 ( $ 0.92 ) / ( 19% )

Central Atlantic $3.72 $4.88 ( $ 1.16 ) / ( 24% )

Lower Atlantic $3.68 $4.65 ( $ 0.97 ) / ( 21% )

Midwest $3.55 $4.58 ( $ 1.03 ) / ( 22% )

Gulf Coast $3.48 $4.61 ( $ 1.14 ) / ( 25% )

Rocky Mountain $3.67 $4.71 ( $ 1.05 ) / ( 22% )

West Coast $3.50 $4.83 ( $ 1.33 ) / ( 27% )

Compressed Natural Gas ($ per GGE) National Average $2.01 $2.34 ( $ 0.34 ) / (1 4% )

New England $2.87 $2.96 ( $ 0.08 ) / ( 3% )

Central Atlantic $2.75 $2.77 ( $ 0.02 ) / ( 1% )

Lower Atlantic $2.40 $2.40 $0 / 0%

Midwest $1.88 $1.95 ( $ 0.07 ) / ( 4% )

Gulf Coast $2.54 $2.88 ( $ 0.34 ) / ( 12% )

Rocky Mountain $1.13 $1.38 ( $ 0.25 ) / ( 18% )

West Coast $2.42 $2.91 ( $ 0.49 ) / ( 17% )

Ethanol (E8 5) ($ per gallon) National Average $2.82 $3.27 ( $ 0.45 ) / ( 14% )

New England $3.19 $3.10 $0.09 / 3%

Central Atlantic $2.89 $3.35 ( $ 0.46 ) / ( 14% )

Lower Atlantic $3.17 $3.53 ( $ 0.37 ) / ( 10% )

Midwest $2.60 $3.20 ( $ 0.6 0) / ( 19% )

Gulf Coast $2.86 $3.39 ( $ 0.54 ) / ( 16% )

Rocky Mountain $2.72 $3.10 ( $ 0.38 ) / ( 12% )

West Coast $2.99 $3.40 ( $ 0.41 ) / ( 12% )

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 13 Table 12. Comparison of Prices, Last Price Report versus Current Price Report

Price for O ctober 2008 Period Price for J uly 2008 Period Price Differential O ctober vs. J uly

Propane ($ per gallon) National Average $3.38 $3.14 $0.24 / 8%

New England $3.91 $3.14 $0.77 / 25%

Central Atlantic $4.15 $4.20 ( $ 0.05 ) / ( 1% )

Lower Atlantic $4.14 $4.14 $0 / 0%

Midwest $3.07 $3.15 ( $ 0.08 ) / ( 3% )

Gulf Coast $3.26 $2.38 $0.88 / 37%

Rocky Mountain $2.91 $2.79 $0.13 / 5%

West Coast $2.95 $2.96 ( $ 0.01 ) / ( 0% )

Biodiesel (B20) ($ per gallon) National Average $4.04 $4.66 ( $ 0.62 ) / ( 13% )

New England $4.04 $4.52 ( $ 0.47 ) / ( 10% )

Central Atlantic $3.83 $4.49 ( $ 0.66 ) / ( 15% )

Lower Atlantic $3.87 $4.72 ( $ 0.85 ) / ( 18% )

Midwest $4.03 $4.66 ( $ 0.62 ) / ( 13% )

Gulf Coast $3.75 $4.60 ( $ 0.85 ) / ( 18% )

Rocky Mo untain $4.00 $4.67 ( $ 0.67 ) / ( 14% )

West Coast $4.32 $4.81 ( $ 0.5 0) / ( 10% )

Biodiesel (B2

- B5) ($ per gallon) National Average $3.84 $4.69 ( $ 0.85 ) / ( 18% )

New England $3.91 $4.79 ( $ 0.88 ) / ( 18% )

Central Atlantic $3.75 $4.78 ( $ 1.04 ) / ( 22% )

Lower Atlantic $3.86 $4.66 ( $ 0.8 0) / ( 17% )

Midwest $3.82 $4.62 ( $ 0.8 0 ) / ( 17% )

Gulf Coast $3.90 $4.56 ( $ 0.66 ) / ( 14% )

Rocky Mountain $3.90 $4.91 ( $ 1.01 ) / ( 21% )

West Coast $3.96 $4.70 ( $ 0.74 ) / ( 16% )

Biodiesel (B99

- B100) ($ per gallon) National Averag e $4.64 $4.88 ( $ 0.24 ) / ( 5% )

New England $3.19 $4.59 ( $ 1.4 0) / ( 31% )

Central Atlantic $4.60 $4.99 ( $ 0.39 ) / ( 8% )

Lower Atlantic $4.23 $4.60 ( $ 0.37 ) / ( 8% )

Midwest $3.91 $4.48 ( $ 0.57 ) / ( 13% )

Gulf Coast $3.94 $4.39 ( $ 0.45 ) / ( 10% )

Rocky Mountain $5.99 $5.35 $0.64 / 12%

West Coast $4.92 $4.97 ( $ 0.05 ) / ( 1% )

## CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT OCTOBER 2008

Page 14 

## HISTORICAL ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICES FROM PREVIOUS REPORTS

The graphs on this page illustrate

the historical price s 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. N atural 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 $4.50Price 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 $5.50Price 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 2008

Page 15 

## ILLUSTRATION OF CONVERSION FACTORS FOR FUELS

The standard lower heating values for fuels from the Transportation Energy Databook 2 6 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 low er heating values outlined above. The conversion

factors are derived in the manner shown in the graphic to the r ight.

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, mu ltiply 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 eq uivalent 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.

Conversi on 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 OCTOBER 2008

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 thereo f, 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 in fringe 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. G overnment 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.