# Cle a n C iti e s A l ter n ati v e F ue l Pr i ce R ep o rt

April 200 8

# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008

WELCOME!

Welcome to the April 2008 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 April 1, 2008 and Apr il 11, 2008 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 April 1, 2008 and April 11, 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 this report are grouped by U.S. areas as defined by the Petroleum Administration for Defens e 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 APRIL 2008 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 Nationwide Nationwide Change in Price Units of Average Price for Average Price for This Report vs. Measurement Fuel This Report Fuel Last Report Last Report 

## relative to conventional fuels vary, Gasoline (Regular) $3.43 $2.99 $0.44 per gallon 

## with some (100% biodiesel) higher and some (B20, propane, E85 and CNG $2.04 $1.93 $0.11 per GGE Diesel $4.14 $3.40 $0.74 per gallon 

## CNG) lower. CNG is about a $1.40less than gasoline on an energy-equivalent basis, while E85 is about 56 cents less Ethanol (E85) $2.87 $2.51 $0.36 per gallon Propane $3.15 $3.12 $0.03 per gallon 

## per gallon than gasoline. Propane is about 28 cents per gallon less than gasoline. B2/B5 prices and B20 prices Biodiesel (B2-B5) $3.99 $3.31 $0.68 per gallon 

## are lower than regular diesel by about 16 cents. B99/B100 blends have a cost of about 17 cents per gallon more than regular diesel. Biodiesel (B20) $3.98 $3.37 $0.61 per gallon

Biodiesel (B99-B100) $4.31 $3.69 $0.62 per gallon



## Relative to the last report from January 2008, the average pric es for all of the fuels included in this price report have increased, by as much as 74 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. April 2008 Overall Average Fuel Prices on Energy

## the 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. Table 2 illustrates the fuel prices from Table 1 for the Gasoline $3.43 $3.82 $29.68 

## current reporting period normalized to a price per gasoline-gallon equivalent, per diesel gallon Nationwide Nationwide Nationwide Average Price in Average Price in Average Price in Gasoline Gallon Diesel Gallon Dollars per

Equivalents Equivalents Million Btu

Diesel $3.71 $4.14 $32.19
CNG $2.04 $2.27 $17.66 

## 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 Propane $4.36 $4.86 $37.75 

## the Transportation Energy Data Book 2 

## . Note that prices for the alternative fuels in terms of cost per Ethanol (E85) $4.06 $4.53 $35.20

Biodiesel (B20) $3.63 $4.05 $31.48
Biodiesel (B2-B5) $3.59 $4.00 $31.07 

## gallon equivalent are generally higher than their cost per gallon because of their lower energy content per gallon 3 

## . 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. Biodiesel (B99-B100) $4.24 $4.73 $36.78

1 A very small sample of hydrogen information was received (6 prices total): average price for hydrogen was $18.83 per gge in th is 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 ener gy cost per mile is somewhat less than would be calculated si mply 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 APRIL 2008 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 reference sources for New England $3.43 / 0.09 37 $4.25 / 0.25 30 R egular Gasoline Information Diesel Information Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal)

A verage Price Number of Data A verage Price Number of Data

/ Standard Points / Standard Points Deviation of Price Deviation of Price

Lower Atlantic $3.37 / 0.14 82 $4.09 / 0.13 57 

## These prices were collected conventional fuels) are illustrated in Table 3. Central Atlantic $3.42 / 0.13 38 $4.35 / 0.13 36



## from refueling stations selling both conventional fuels and alternative fuels, and from conventional Midwest $3.41 / 0.16 346 $4.09 / 0.17 108

Gulf Coast $3.36 / 0.07 79 $4.04 / 0.12 37 Rocky Mountain $3.35 / 0.13 45 $4.00 / 0.24 39



## alternative fuel stations. Just over 700 price points NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.43 / 0.17 730 $4.14 / 0.21 380 

## fuel refueling stations near West Coast $3.60 / 0.23 103 $4.25 / 0.20 73



## were collected for gasoline and 380 for diesel, with average prices for gasoline ranging from a low of $3.35 per gallon in the Rocky Mountain region to a high of $3.60 per gallon on the West Coast. Diesel prices ranged from $4.00 in the Rocky Mountain region to $4.35 in the Central Atlantic. 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_ga s/petroleum/info_glance/pet roleum.html ). These prices are averages of prices from a Gasoline Average Diesel Average Price from EIA, Price from EIA, Week of 4/7/08 Week of 4/7/08 New England $3.30 $4.12 

## selection of 800 retail fuel stations across the country. Note that the average nationwide price from EIA generally Lower Atlantic $3.31 $3.94 Central Atlantic $3.37 $4.14 

## matches relatively closely with the averages from the station information collected from Clean Cities stakeholders. Comparisons in this document between Gulf Coast $3.25 $3.89 Midwest $3.28 $3.92


## conventional fuel prices and alternative fuel prices will be made using prices collected from Clean Cities representatives wherever possible, as these prices are most West Coast $3.43 $4.05 

## representative of stations selling both conventional and alternative fuels. Rocky Mountain $3.27 $3.97

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.30 $3.96



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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 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. Info rmation on prices for regular gasoline as provided by Clean New England $2.42 / 0.52 18 $3.43 / 0.09 37 Natural Gas (CNG) Information R egular Gasoline Information Reported by Clean Cities ($/gge) Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal)

A verage Price Number o f Data A verage Price Number of Data

/ Standard Points / Standard Points Deviation of Price Deviation of Price

Lower Atlantic $1.99 / 0.60 5 $3.37 / 0.14 82 

## were collected from across Cities representatives is also shown. These prices Central Atlantic $2.49 / 0.35 58 $3.42 / 0.13 38



## the country from Clean Cities Coordinators, fuel providers, and other stakeholders on a Midwest $1.69 / 0.34 14 $3.41 / 0.16 346

Gulf Coast $2.44 / 0.15 18 $3.36 / 0.07 79 Rocky Mountain $1.26 / 0.86 103 $3.35 / 0.13 45 

## voluntary basis. Just under West Coast $2.64 / 0.33 75 $3.60 / 0.23 103 

## three hundred CNG prices were collected in this report 4



## . NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.04 / 0.84 291 $3.43 / 0.17 730



## As Table 5 illustrates by region, CNG has a lower price than gasoline for all regions of the country for which prices were obtained, with the largest difference ($2.09 per gge) being in the Rocky Mountain region. On average, CNG costs about $1.39 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 all 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 station s. Regional differences in gas heat content relative to the internal pump conversion factor may ch ange the price per gge: these differences were not determined for this report, however.



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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 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. Info rmation on prices for conventional diesel fuel as provided by New England $2.70 / 0.58 18 $4.25 / 0.25 30 Natural Gas (CNG) Information Diesel Information Reported by Clean Cities ($/dge) Reported by Clean Cities ($/gal)

A verage Price Number of Data A verage Price Number of Data

/ Standard Points / Standard Points Deviation of Price Deviation of Price

Lower Atlantic $2.22 / 0.67 5 $4.09 / 0.13 57 

## sources is also shown. representatives from Clean Cities and supplemental Central Atlantic $2.78 / 0.39 58 $4.35 / 0.13 36



## These prices were collected from across the country from Clean Cities Coordinators, fuel Midwest $1.88 / 0.38 14 $4.09 / 0.17 108

Gulf Coast $2.72 / 0.17 18 $4.04 / 0.12 37 Rocky Mountain $1.41 / 0.96 103 $4.00 / 0.24 39 

## providers, and other West Coast $2.94 / 0.37 75 $4.25 / 0.20 73



## 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 all regions of the country, with the largest difference ($2.59 per dge) being in the Rocky Mountain region. On average, CNG costs about $1.86 less than diesel on a per diesel gallon equivalent basis. Based on standa rd 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 generally favorable, as the map shows. stakeholders on a voluntary basis. Note that NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.28 / 0.94 291 $4.14 / 0.21 380



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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 ETHANOL (E85)

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

## Average prices for ethanol in an 85% blend with 15% gasoline (E85) are illustrated in Table 7, grouped by region. Information on prices E thanol (E85) Information R egular Gasoline Information Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

A verage Price Number of Data A verage Price Number of Data

/ Standard Points / Standard Points Deviation of Price Deviation of Price New England $4.03 / -.-- 1 $3.43 / 0.09 37 

## for regular gasoline as provided by Clean Cities representatives is also shown. These prices were collected from Central Atlantic $2.84 / 0.23 21 $3.42 / 0.13 38

Lower Atlantic $3.02 / 0.17 34 $3.37 / 0.14 82

Midwest $2.88 / 0.22 255 $3.41 / 0.16 346 

## across the country from Gulf Coast $3.03 / 0.14 49 $3.36 / 0.07 79 

## Clean Cities Coordinators, fuel providers, and other stakeholders on a voluntary basis. Over Rocky Mountain $2.57 / 0.33 59 $3.35 / 0.13 45

West Coast $2.96 / 0.21 44 $3.60 / 0.23 103

NATIONAL AVERAGE $2.87 / 0.26 463 $3.43 / 0.17 730



## 450 prices for ethanol were collected in this data collection effort. Data collection was not uniform across regions of the country, but as the majority of operational ethanol stations are in the Midwest, data collection generally mirrored the density of refueling.

Note that E85 has a lower average price per gallon than regular gasoline in all regions except New England (see Table 7). On average, E85 is about 56 cents lower in price than regular gasoline on a per-gallon basis, with the largest average differential (78 cents) being found in the Rocky 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 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 much of the area for which prices were available: the best pricing was in the upper Midwest and along the West Coast.

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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 PROPANE

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

## Average prices for propane are illustrated in Table 8, grouped by region. Information on prices for regular gasoline as provided by New England

-- -- $3.43 / 0.09 37 P ropane Information R egular Gasoline Information Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

A verage Price Number of Data A verage Price Number of Data

/ Standard Points / Standard Points Deviation of Price Deviation of Price 

## representatives from

were collected from Midwest $3.05 / 0.46 16 $3.41 / 0.16 346 

## across the country from Clean Cities Gulf Coast $2.91 / 0.82 6 $3.36 / 0.07 79

West Coast $2.61 / 0.79 17 $3.60 / 0.23 103 

## stakeholders on a voluntary basis. About 100 propane prices were collected in this reporting period. NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.15 / 0.76 101 $3.43 / 0.17 730



## As Table 8 illustrates regionally, propane prices are lower in most regions except the Central Atlantic and Lower Atlantic regions. Overall, propane was about 28 cents per gallon less than gasoline. The West Coast had the most favorable price situation in this report, with propane at 99 cents per gallon less than gasoline on average. 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. Clean Cities is also shown. These prices Central Atlantic $3.82 / 0.71 21 $3.42 / 0.13 38

Lower Atlantic $3.45 / 0.62 15 $3.37 / 0.14 82



## Coordinators, fuel providers, and other Rocky Mountain $2.91 / 0.55 26 $3.35 / 0.13 45



## 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 generally favorable in California and the Southwest.

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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 BIODIESEL BLENDS: B20

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

## Average prices for 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)

A verage Price A pproximate A verage Price A pproximate Number / Standard Number of / Standard of Stations Deviation of Price Stations Deviation of Price New England $4.03 / 0.38 14 $4.25 / 0.25 30 

## for regular diesel as provided by Clean Cities representatives is also shown. These prices were collected from Central Atlantic $3.92 / 0.42 16 $4.35 / 0.13 36

Lower Atlantic $3.97 / 0.19 19 $4.09 / 0.13 57

Midwest $3.75 / 0.54 17 $4.09 / 0.17 108 

## across the country from Gulf Coast $3.97 / 0.35 7 $4.04 / 0.12 37 

## Clean Cities Coordinators, fuel providers, and other stakeholders on a voluntary basis. Just Rocky Mountain $4.15 / 0.34 23 $4.00 / 0.24 39

West Coast $4.00 / 0.42 22 $4.25 / 0.20 73

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.98 / 0.40 118 $4.14 / 0.21 380



## over 100 prices were obtained for B20 across the country.

As Table 9 illustrates, biodiesel in a B20 blend has an averag e price per gallon that is generally close to conventional diesel fuel (ranging from 15 cents more to 43 cents less 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 16 cents less 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 several states, including New York, Tennessee, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Florida.

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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 BIODIESEL BLENDS: LOW-LEVEL (B2-B5)

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

## Average prices for biodiesel in lower-level blends (2-5% biodiesel in diesel fuel) are illustrated in Table 10, grouped by region. Biodiesel (B2 B5) Information Diesel Information Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

A verage Price Number of Data A verage Price Number of Data

/ Standard Points / Standard Points Deviation of Price Deviation of Price New England $3.67 / 0.55 3 $4.25 / 0.25 30 

## Information on prices for regular diesel as provided by Clean Cities representatives is also shown. These prices Central Atlantic $4.16 / 0.13 22 $4.35 / 0.13 36

Lower Atlantic $3.94 / 0.42 9 $4.09 / 0.13 57

Midwest $3.88 / 0.26 18 $4.09 / 0.17 108 

## were collected from Gulf Coast $3.66 / 0.32 3 $4.04 / 0.12 37 

## across the country from Clean Cities Coordinators, fuel providers, and other stakeholders on a Rocky Mountain $4.15 / 0.14 7 $4.00 / 0.24 39

West Coast $3.92 / 0.20 6 $4.25 / 0.20 73

NATIONAL AVERAGE $3.99 / 0.29 68 $4.14 / 0.21 380



## voluntary basis. Almost 70 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 15 cents more to 58 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.

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. Pricing appears to be good in California and New Mexico, as well as across several Northeast states.

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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 BIODIESEL BLENDS: B100/B99

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

## Average prices for high- level blends of biodiesel (99% or 100% biodiesel with diesel fuel) are illustrated in Table 11, grouped by region. New England

-- -- $4.25 / 0.25 30 Biodiesel (B99 B100) Information Diesel Information Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal) Reported by Clean Cities ($ per gal)

A verage Price Number of Data A verage Price Number of Data

/ Standard Points / Standard Points Deviation of Price Deviation of Price 

## Information on prices

representatives is also Midwest $3.80 / 0.66 4 $4.09 / 0.17 108 

## shown. These prices were collected from Gulf Coast $4.24 / 0.35 2 $4.04 / 0.12 37

West Coast $4.18 / 0.56 27 $4.25 / 0.20 73 

## 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. NATIONAL AVERAGE $4.31 / 0.68 45 $4.14 / 0.21 380



## As Table 11 illustrates regionally, the cost of B99/B100 is generally higher than the cost of diesel fuel per gallon in the regions for which data were collected (except the Midwest and West Coast), with the highest differential being $1.77 in the Rocky Mountain region. On average across th e nation, B99/B100 is about 17 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 areas of the country. for regular diesel as provided by Clean Cities Central Atlantic $4.52 / 0.69 7 $4.35 / 0.13 36

Lower Atlantic $4.68 / 0.67 3 $4.09 / 0.13 57



## across the country from Clean Cities Rocky Mountain $5.77 / 0.48 2 $4.00 / 0.24 39



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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 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 January 2008. Virtually all fuels increased in price somewhat in each region between January 2008 and April 2008. 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 April 2008 Period Price for January 2008 Period Price Differential April vs. January Gasoline ($ per gallon) National Average $3.43 $2.99 $0.44 / 15% New England $3.43 $3.21 $0.22 / 7%
Central Atlantic $3.42 $3.11 $0.31 / 10%
Lower Atlantic $3.37 $2.97 $0.41 / 14%
Midwest $3.41 $2.93 $0.48 / 16%
Gulf Coast $3.36 $2.89 $0.47 / 16% Rocky Mountain $3.35 $2.88 $0.48 / 17%
West Coast $3.60 $3.09 $0.51 / 17% Diesel ($ per gallon) National Average $4.14 $3.40 $0.74 / 22% New England $4.25 $3.60 $0.65 / 18%
Central Atlantic $4.35 $3.53 $0.82 / 23%
Lower Atlantic $4.09 $3.36 $0.74 / 22%
Midwest $4.09 $3.37 $0.72 / 21%
Gulf Coast $4.04 $3.30 $0.74 / 23% Rocky Mountain $4.00 $3.26 $0.74 / 23%
West Coast $4.25 $3.47 $0.78 / 23% Compressed Natural Gas ($ per GGE) National Average $2.04 $1.93 $0.11 / 6% New England $2.42 $2.33 $0.09 / 4%
Central Atlantic $2.49 $2.41 $0.08 / 3%
Lower Atlantic $1.99 $1.86 $0.13 / 7%
Midwest $1.69 $1.78 ($0.09) / (5%)
Gulf Coast $2.44 $2.20 $0.24 / 11% Rocky Mountain $1.26 $1.21 $0.05 / 4%
West Coast $2.64 $2.44 $0.20 / 8%

E thanol (E85) ($ per gallon) National A verage $2.87 $2.51 $0.36 / 14% New England $4.03 $4.50 ($0.47) / (11%)
Central Atlantic $2.84 $2.68 $0.16 / 6%
Lower Atlantic $3.02 $2.74 $0.28 / 10%
Midwest $2.88 $2.50 $0.38 / 15%
Gulf Coast $3.03 $2.61 $0.42 / 16% Rocky Mountain $2.57 $2.27 $0.30 / 13%
West Coast $2.96 $2.62 $0.35 / 13%



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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 Table 12. Comparison of Prices, Last Price Report versus Current Price Report

Price for April 2008 Period Price for January 2008 Period Price Differential April vs. January

P ropane ($ per gallon) National Average $3.15 $3.12 $0.03 / 1%

New England

-- $2.99 N/A
Central Atlantic $3.82 $3.82 $0.00 / 0%
Lower Atlantic $3.45 $3.04 $0.41 / 14%
Midwest $3.05 $2.99 $0.06 / 2%
Gulf Coast $2.91 $2.82 $0.09 / 3% Rocky Mountain $2.91 $2.74 $0.17 / 6%
West Coast $2.61 $3.02 ($0.41) / (14%) Biodiesel (B20) ($ per gallon) National Average $3.98 $3.37 $0.61 / 18% New England $4.03 $3.49 $0.54 / 15%
Central Atlantic $3.92 $3.31 $0.61 / 18%
Lower Atlantic $3.97 $3.36 $0.61 / 18%
Midwest $3.75 $3.31 $0.44 / 13%
Gulf Coast $3.97 $3.37 $0.60 / 18% Rocky Mountain $4.15 $3.32 $0.83 / 25%
West Coast $4.00 $3.45 $0.55 / 16% Biodiesel (B2-B5) ($ per gallon) National Average $3.99 $3.31 $0.68 / 20%

New England $3.67

-- N/A
Central Atlantic $4.16 $3.32 $0.84 / 25%
Lower Atlantic $3.94 $3.25 $0.69 / 21%
Midwest $3.88 $3.30 $0.58 / 18%
Gulf Coast $3.66 $3.19 $0.47 / 15% Rocky Mountain $4.15 $3.42 $0.74 / 22%
West Coast $3.92 $3.38 $0.54 / 16% Biodiesel (B99-B100) ($ per gallon) National Average $4.31 $3.69 $0.62 / 17%

New England

-- -- N/A
Central Atlantic $4.52 $3.94 $0.58 / 15%
Lower Atlantic $4.68 $3.64 $1.04 / 28%
Midwest $3.80 $3.54 $0.26 / 7%
Gulf Coast $4.24 $3.19 $1.05 / 33% Rocky Mountain $5.77 $3.85 $1.93 / 50%

West Coast $4.18 $3.66 $0.52 / 14%



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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008 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 $4.00Sep05Oct05Nov05Dec05Jan06Feb06Mar06Apr06May06Jun06Jul06Aug06Sep06Oct06Nov06Dec06Jan07Feb07Mar07Apr07May07Jun07Jul07Aug07Sep07Oct07Nov07Dec07Jan08Feb08Mar08Apr08PriceperGallon

Gasoline

Natural Gas (GGE)
Propane

Ethanol (E85)

Alternative Fuel Prices

versus Gasoline

$1.50 $2.00 $2.50 $3.00 $3.50 $4.00 $4.50Sep05Oct05Nov05Dec05Jan06Feb06Mar06Apr06May06Jun06Jul06Aug06Sep06Oct06Nov06Dec06Jan07Feb07Mar07Apr07May07Jun07Jul07Aug07Sep07Oct07Nov07Dec07Jan08Feb08Mar08Apr08PriceperGallon Diesel

Natural Gas (DGE)

Biodiesel (B20)

Biodiesel (B2/B5)

Biodiesel (B99/B100) Alternative Fuel Prices

versus Diesel



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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008

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) Propane Biodiesel (B20) Biodiesel (B2) Biodiesel (B100) 1.41
1.38
0.91
0.90
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



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# CLEAN CITIES ALTERNATIVE FUEL PRICE REPORT APRIL 2008

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to acknowle dge all of the contributors from the Clean Cities community who have provided prices for this report: we sincerely ap preciate your continued dedi cation to the success of this report. The authors would also like to acknow ledge the continued suppor t of DOE for developing this report.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTICIPATE?

If you would like to provide prices for alternative fuel s 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, a pparatus, product, or process di sclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privatel y owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise d oes not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Governme nt or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed here in do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government or any agency thereof.



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