Blending relatively low levels of alternative fuels with conventional fuels is an important option for reducing petroleum use and an important strategy in the Clean Cities Program portfolio.

Examples of blends include E10 (10% ethanol/90% gasoline), B5 (5% biodiesel/95% diesel), and B2 (2% biodiesel/98% diesel). Blends can also consist of two types of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG), which might be a combination of 20% hydrogen and 80% CNG, for example. Many coalition stakeholders use blended fuels in their fleet vehicles.

Blending low levels of alternative fuels with conventional fuels is an important option for reducing petroleum
consumption. Clean Cities supports the use of ethanol and biodiesel fuel blends (such as E10, B2, B5, and blends of hydrogen and natural gas). Program strategies to promote fuel blends include:

• Training coordinators on the benefits of blends and teaching them how to determine which blends make sense locally or regionally.
• Encouraging coalitions to develop outreach plans to educate heavy-duty fleets about the fuel blend benefits.
• Working with state and local governments to explore opportunities to expand mandates and other programs for increasing fuel blend use.
• Forming partnerships to establish fuel standards for blends.

Clean Cities also plans to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Initiative to fill gaps in regional assessments of feedstock availability and identify opportunities for enhanced production.