What Is Carbon Intensity (CI) and Why Does It Matter for California Fleets?

California fleets are under increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to keep trucks, construction equipment, generators, and other diesel-powered vehicles operating reliably.

One term fleet managers are hearing more often is Carbon Intensity (CI).

But what exactly does CI mean, and why does it matter when choosing fuel?

For California businesses, understanding carbon intensity can help fleet managers evaluate fuel options, support sustainability goals, and make more informed decisions about diesel and renewable diesel.

What Is Carbon Intensity?

Carbon Intensity (CI) measures the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a fuel throughout its lifecycle relative to the amount of energy the fuel provides.

Under California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), CI is expressed in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO₂e/MJ). The calculation considers more than what comes out of a vehicle's exhaust.

Depending on the fuel pathway, lifecycle emissions can include:

• Feedstock production or collection

• Transportation of the feedstock

• Fuel production and processing

• Fuel transportation and distribution

• Final fuel use

This means two fuels that perform the same basic function can have significantly different CI scores because they are produced from different feedstocks and through different production pathways.

Why Does Carbon Intensity Matter for California Fleets?

California has established the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels over time.

For fleet operators, CI therefore provides a way to compare the lifecycle emissions associated with different fuel choices.

Lower-CI fuels can be an important part of a broader fleet sustainability strategy, particularly for businesses that continue to rely on diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.

California's LCFS has helped expand the use of lower-carbon transportation fuels, including renewable diesel, biodiesel, electricity, and other alternatives.

Carbon Intensity and Renewable Diesel

One of the fuel options California fleets can consider is renewable diesel.

Renewable diesel is produced from renewable feedstocks rather than crude petroleum. Depending on its feedstock and production pathway, renewable diesel can have a substantially lower lifecycle CI than conventional petroleum diesel.

Importantly, there is not one universal CI score for all renewable diesel. The actual value depends on factors such as the feedstock, production process, transportation, and certified fuel pathway.

CARB data illustrates the difference: its 2022 average reported CI values were approximately 100 gCO₂e/MJ for fossil diesel and 37 gCO₂e/MJ for renewable diesel. Individual fuel pathways can differ from these averages.

How Can Fleets Lower Their Carbon Intensity?

Reducing fleet CI does not necessarily mean replacing every diesel vehicle immediately.

For compatible equipment, changing the fuel can be one component of a broader carbon-reduction strategy.

Fleet managers can consider:

1. Switching to Lower-CI Fuel

Renewable diesel can provide a way for compatible diesel vehicles and equipment to reduce the lifecycle carbon intensity associated with their fuel use.

Dogpatch Biofuels supplies renewable diesel, including R99, as well as other commercial fuel options throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

2. Tracking Fuel Consumption

Understanding how much fuel a fleet uses is essential for measuring progress.

Fuel-use tracking and reporting can help businesses understand consumption, identify opportunities for improvement, and support internal sustainability reporting.

3. Improving Fueling Logistics

Fueling practices can also affect operational efficiency.

Dogpatch Biofuels provides mobile and wet-hose fueling, bulk fuel delivery, fuel cube rentals, and commercial fleet fueling. These services allow businesses to bring fuel directly to fleet yards, jobsites, generators, and other operating locations.

4. Combining Fuel Changes With Other Strategies

Lower-CI fuel is one part of fleet decarbonization. Businesses can also consider route optimization, reducing unnecessary idling, preventive maintenance, fuel-efficiency improvements, electrification where practical, and newer equipment.

The right strategy depends on the fleet's vehicles, duty cycles, operating locations, fuel consumption, and business requirements.

Does Lower CI Mean a Fleet Is Compliant?

Not necessarily.

Carbon Intensity and regulatory compliance are related but different concepts.

For example, using renewable diesel may help reduce the lifecycle CI associated with fuel consumption, but it does not automatically satisfy every California fleet requirement.

California's Clean Truck Check program addresses vehicle emissions testing and reporting requirements. Fleet operators should continue to verify which regulations apply to their vehicles and maintain required testing and compliance records.

Dogpatch Biofuels offers Clean Truck Check testing alongside renewable diesel, commercial fueling, fuel delivery, and fleet carbon-reduction services.

How Dogpatch Biofuels Helps California Fleets Reduce CI

For Bay Area businesses looking to address the carbon intensity of their diesel operations, Dogpatch Biofuels provides more than fuel delivery.

The San Francisco-based company offers:

• R99 renewable diesel

• HVO and renewable fuel options

• Commercial diesel delivery

• Mobile and wet-hose fueling

• Fuel cube rentals

• Generator fueling

• Fleet fuel tracking and reporting

• Clean Truck Check testing

• Fleet carbon-reduction consulting

Dogpatch serves commercial fleets, transportation companies, construction businesses, municipalities, industrial operations, and other organizations throughout San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.

The Bottom Line

Carbon Intensity measures the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with a fuel relative to the energy it provides.

For California fleets, CI is increasingly relevant when evaluating fuel choices and developing long-term sustainability strategies.

Renewable diesel can offer a lower-CI alternative to petroleum diesel for compatible vehicles and equipment, although the exact CI depends on the certified fuel pathway.

For businesses in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area, Dogpatch Biofuels can help connect lower-CI fuel options with practical fleet fueling, delivery, tracking, and compliance services.

If your business is looking for renewable diesel or a lower-carbon fuel strategy for your California fleet, Dogpatch Biofuels can help you evaluate your options and develop a fueling approach around your operational needs.