The future of the oil and gas industry is changing as environmental regulations, especially here in California, limit the industry’s growth. Oil and gas producers like Chevron are exploring alternatives to comply with these new regulations and transition away from carbon-intensive products. One such alternative is renewable gasoline.

Renewable gasoline is a viable alternative that can impact carbon emissions caused by automotive use. Even though the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is growing, most drivers still use gasoline-powered cars. Renewable gasoline can be used by current vehicles without major engine changes, a build of infrastructure for charging like EVs need, or a significant investment in mining resources for EV batteries. Renewable gasoline is the answer for an immediate, scaleable solution to reduce automobile carbon emissions.

What is Chevron’s renewable gasoline blend?
Chevron is at the forefront of the renewable gasoline movement and is committed to developing and promoting this alternative fuel source. In June 2022, Chevron announced the acquisition of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REG). This strategic buyout aimed to integrate REG’s expertise into Chevron’s operations and advance the development of renewable gasoline through the newly formed Chevron Renewable Energy Group. Chevron’s ambitious goal is to boost renewable fuel production to 100,000 barrels per day by 2030.

Renewable gasoline collaborations with Toyota
Since that acquisition, much progress has been made. Chevron has successfully developed a renewable gasoline fuel that reduces carbon emissions by 40% and even tested it in collaboration with Toyota. This test, which took place in April 2023, involved three Toyota vehicles driving 1000 miles from Canton, MS, to Houston, TX, using the renewable fuel blend. With a total trip distance of 476 miles,, the result was 40% lower carbon emissions per vehicle. It was a big success and a showcase of what will come with renewable gasoline.

After this successful showcase, another collaboration was planned. This past April, a pilot project to fill new Toyota vehicles with the renewable gasoline blend took place in Portland. On April 11th, a new delivery of Toyota vehicles arrived and was processed at the Port of Portland. For the employees, processing the new vehicles was routine, except for the fuel they were using to fill up the vehicles for the first time. Instead of regular gasoline, Chevron’s renewable fuel blend was used in each of the new vehicles.

This initiative didn’t require any changes for the Toyota team. There were no updates to the vehicle engines to make them compatible with renewable gasoline. As Mark McCarthy, Program Manager, Energy & Fuels, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) said “Using Chevron’s renewable gasoline blend for the first fill of the vehicle can mean real emissions reductions for our real operations – and it operates just like normal gasoline.” The renewable gasoline blend used in this operation was developed at Chevron’s Richmond Energy Laboratory and contains 50% renewable content. This initiative was the lab’s largest shipment of renewable fuel at 4000 gallons. The Richmond lab team was thrilled to see their work tested on actual vehicles and help reduce carbon emissions. Izadyar Dalvand, an engine laboratory operations supervisor at Chevron Richmond Energy Laboratory, said, “It’s great to be involved in creating a totally new renewable gasoline blend and to see it used in vehicles. It took two years and several teams coming together to make this happen.”

How is Chevron’s renewable gasoline blend made?
Chevron’s renewable gasoline blend is primarily derived from soybean oil, a byproduct of soybean agricultural processing. The beans are crushed to produce animal feed, and the oil is repurposed as a component for renewable fuel. Utilizing soybean oil not only lowers the fuel’s carbon intensity but also reduces waste generated during agricultural processing.

Integrating the soybean oil into the gasoline blend was a significant process. The laboratory team did extensive research and development to find a way to retain the energy-rich properties of regular gasoline. The team had to find a way to preserve the gasoline’s high energy content and stable combustion characteristics. The soybean oil was carefully mixed with traditional petroleum products to have the same energy density as regular gasoline. Then, extensive testing was conducted to ensure that the fuel was performed reliably in conventional gasoline engines.

Showcasing the future of renewable gasoline
The debate about the right way to reduce vehicle emissions and the future of transportation is ongoing. However, renewable fuels, like Chevron’s renewable gasoline, can be a critical factor in the fight. These fuels can significantly reduce carbon emissions right now without requiring a significant investment in new infrastructure to support their use or vehicle engine changes. Chevron’s renewable gasoline is a viable alternative that can help significantly lower emissions.

To showcase the future of renewable fuels and Chevron’s development of these fuels, a Discovery Go series, Driving Decarbonization in America, will look at the different ways the lifecycle of carbon emissions can be reduced in transportation. The second episode of the series will feature Chevron’s new fuel and let viewers learn more about this fuel source, how it’s created using soybean oil, and how it can help reduce emissions now. Kaustav Sinha, director of strategic partnerships at Chevron, says, “Our scientists and engineers came together to develop a solution that can not only lower carbon intensity compared with traditional gasoline but also work in regular vehicles.” Viewers of the new series will learn how Chevron’s team did this and how it can help reduce carbon emissions today. The series is now streaming on Discovery Go for interested viewers.

As a California-based fuel and lubricant supplier of Chevron products, we wholeheartedly welcome these initiatives and developments. The state has long been a pioneer in implementing strict environmental regulations, and Chevron’s efforts align perfectly with California’s goals for sustainability. We believe that the future of transportation should incorporate renewable fuels to mitigate the effects of climate change in a more affordable and scaleable way for consumers and the oil and gas industry.

As Chevron invests in renewable diesel and gasoline and collaborates with automotive manufacturers, new job opportunities will arise in research, development, production, and distribution. This growth can stimulate our local economy, reduce the impact of environmental regulations on small businesses and provide workers with the skills necessary for the emerging green energy sector. We hope to see further investment in the renewable energy sector by both the private and public sectors.