Biodiesel upgrade for City of Mesa fleet

In an effort to reduce emissions, City of Mesa Fleet Services has switched the entire fleet of diesel powered vehicles and equipment from B-5 to B-20 biodiesel. B-5 is a mixture of 5% biodiesel and 95% #2 diesel fuel while B-20 is 20% biodiesel and 80% #2 diesel fuel. “The City of Mesa has over 1,000 vehicles from fire trucks to street sweepers,” Fleet Support Services Director, Pete Scarafiotti said. “We are dedicated to making choices for our fleet that benefit Mesa residents and the environment.” Biodiesel is a natural and renewable fuel alternative for diesel engines made from vegetable oils, mostly soy and corn. It contains no petroleum, is nontoxic and biodegradable.

Biodiesel burns clean, which results in a significant reduction of the types of pollutants that contribute to smog and global warming and emits up to 85% fewer cancer-causing agents. It is the only alternate diesel fuel approved by the Environmental Protection Agency that has passed every Heath-Effects Test of the Clean Air Act and meets the requirements of the California Air Resources Board.

The City of Mesa fleet uses an array of alternative fuels. The following is a breakdown of the number of vehicles that use each alternative fuel type:

160 – CNG (compressed natural gas) dedicated;
506 – CNG (compressed natural gas) bi-fuel;
253 – B-20 Biodiesel;
290 – E-85 (ethanol);
3    - Hybrid.