Biodiesel and its close cousin, renewable diesel, along with natural gas show the most promise in the alternative fuels arena… that’s according to a report from the California Electric Transportation Coalition (CalETC). The report says the alternative fuels sector in California has developed faster than expected, and recent developments indicate the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and its goal to decrease fuels’ carbon footprint by 10 percent by 2020 is helping drive that.

Emerging as the report’s biggest surprise was the promise of fuels that substitute for diesel, including biodiesel, renewable diesel, and natural gas. These fuels, which can all be used in trucks, are produced from waste materials, including animal fats, corn oil, and the gas that would otherwise escape from landfills. California drivers are rapidly increasing their consumption of biodiesel, up from the range of 20-­‐25 million gallons in 2010. In fact, “2013 promises to be a banner year for biodiesel consumption in California,” the report declared.

The group points out that biodiesel and renewable diesel don’t require any modifications to engines or infrastructure, and natural gas supplies and vehicles able to burn it are increasing.

You can read the full report here.