In a move to advance cleaner fuel solutions for the trucking industry, Iowa’s first B99 biodiesel terminal was officially unveiled today at the Pilot Travel Center in Des Moines. It becomes one of only two retail pumps in the United States offering B99 biodiesel for commercial fleets, the other located in Decatur, Illinois, reports Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
The new terminal is aimed at fleet operators, including major companies like PepsiCo, and was developed through a partnership between Pilot Travel Centers LLC and Optimus Technologies. Optimus played a key role by developing engine technology that allows standard diesel engines to run on 100% biodiesel.
Eric Fobes, head of renewables at Pilot, said the initiative responds directly to customer demand for lower-carbon fuel options in the trucking sector.
Dave Walton of the Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Biodiesel Board called the launch a significant milestone, saying it shows how high blends of biodiesel can work in real-world fleet operations.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig praised the project as a strong example of what can be achieved through collaboration between the agriculture industry and fuel innovators.
The terminal highlights Iowa’s leadership in renewable fuels and marks another step toward reducing carbon emissions in commercial transportation.
