Iowa's first above-ground B99 biodiesel pump goes online

Fleets continue to see the benefits of B99 biodiesel as an affordable and increasingly accessible method to decarbonize.

Jay Traugott

May 30, 2025

The state of Iowa and its project partners continue to promote the many benefits for fleets to make the switch to B99 biodiesel.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

Here's what you need to know:

Biodiesel is being adopted as a practical, low-carbon fuel alternative for fleets aiming to reduce emissions.
A new above-ground B99 biodiesel pump — the first of its kind in the U.S. —has been installed at a Pilot Travel Center in Urbandale, Iowa.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony involved Iowa state officials, Pilot Travel Centers, Optimus Technologies, and PepsiCo.
Pilot Travel Centers plans to open third location in Dallas, Texas this summer.

Renewable diesel continues to play a significant role for fleets nationwide as they proceed with decarbonization efforts. Biodiesel, in particular, is an accessible and affordable option.

Earlier this month, Iowa state leaders and officials representing Pilot Travel Centers, Optimus Technologies, and PepsiCo took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the installation and opening of a new B99 biodiesel pump at Pilot's Urbandale travel center, located about 14 miles away from Des Moines.

Per Biobased Diesel Daily, PepsiCo converted 20 semis from the standard No. 2 diesel to biodiesel using Optimus' fuel system technology, which Clean Trucking highlighted at ACT Expo 2024.

As a reminder, B99 consists of a blend of 99% biodiesel and 1% traditional diesel. More precisely, biodiesel is a low-carbon fuel made from animal fats, vegetable oils, and recycled restaurant grease.

What makes this biodiesel pump unique is that it's reportedly the first above-ground B99 installation in the U.S.

“With Iowa leading the way as the first state to implement an incentive for B30 and higher blends, the launch of this pump demonstrates bold progress in renewable fuels and a model for other states to follow,” the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) said in a statement.

This is not the first B99 biodiesel installation in the Midwest region that's part of the Pilot Travel Centers network.

Earlier this year, Pilot opened the country's first B99 station at its Decatur, Ill. travel center.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, biodiesel meets both the biomass-based diesel and overall advanced biofuel requirement of the Renewable Fuel Standard. Aside from producing lower emissions, biodiesel doesn't require additives and also increases engine lubricity while decreasing particulate matter.

Pilot also confirmed plans to open a third B99 installation in Dallas, Texas this summer.

Jay Traugott has covered the automotive and transportation sector for over a decade and now serves as Senior Editor for Clean Trucking. He holds a drifting license and has driven on some of the world's best race tracks, including the Nurburgring and Spa. He lives near Boulder, Colorado and spends his free time snowboarding and backcountry hiking. He can be reached at [email protected].

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Hydrogen Fuel Cell & BEV Survey

The following survey was sent as a link in an email cover message in February 2023 to the newsletter lists for Overdrive and CCJ. After approximately two weeks, a total of 176 owner-operators under their own authority, 113 owner-operators leased or assigned to a carrier and 82 fleet executives and 36 fleet employees from fleets with 10 or more power units had completed and submitted the questionnaire for a total of 407 qualified responses. Cross-tabulations based on respondent type are provided for each question when applicable.

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