Since I write for a blog called PumpTalk, you’d think that I’d know more about the evolution of fuel. But truth be told, I actually focus more on things like driving safety or advances in urban infrastructure. So, I was quite keen to talk to the Renewables Fuels team at Petro-Canada and learn about an exciting and innovative pilot program they started in British Columbia around the use of Hydro-Treated Renewable Diesel (aka HRD).

First, a little background on Biodiesel, a low carbon diesel that has been used for many years. Biodiesel is a biodegradable alternative fuel, used in diesel engines, and is made from renewable feedstock such as plant oils, waste cooking oil or animal fats. The production of Biodiesel is a chemical process that results in an oxygenated molecule called fatty acid methyl ester (FAME).

To support their commitment to be part of the total solution to meet energy demand (they did build the Electric Highway!) and reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation system, Petro-Canada is exploring the benefits of using higher blends of Hydro-Treated Renewable Diesel within commercial customer applications. HRD uses the same renewable materials in its feedstock as biodiesel but is produced through a chemical refining process called hydro-treating, which involves treating the feedstock with hydrogen under elevated temperatures and pressures. This process eliminates more impurities than biodiesel and is similar to how conventional fuels are produced, so the chemical properties of HRD are similar to conventional petroleum diesel. This similarity means that an organization can easily switch from regular diesel to HRD without a significant overhaul of their current operations.

Renewable diesel has several expected environmental benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions as well as reusing waste products (and diverting them from landfills), along with operational benefits such as lower equipment maintenance costs and longer equipment longevity.

To support their commercial customers, Petro-Canada is testing the use of higher blends of HRD, starting with certain on-road fleet customers, as well as select municipal fleets and off-road applications in the province of British Columbia. Their HRD trial program includes lab and field tests for operational, performance and emission results to support customers in their switch to a more sustainable fuel, while allowing for their business continuity and growth.

Any questions about Biodiesel or HRD? Let us know in the comments and we can answer them in a future post!

~ Kate T.

The arrival of spring and cherry blossom season in Vancouver makes me keen to get out of the house and out into the world – while staying safe, of course. Staying safe is not only masks and physical distancing. Perhaps the number one way to stay safe on the roads is to avoid distracted driving.

The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators defines distracted driving as…

Distracted driving is when a driver’s attention is diverted from the driving task by secondary activities (e.g., eating, talking to passengers, talking or texting on electronic communication devices (ECDs) such as cell phones and smart phones).

The specifics of what constitutes distracted driving, varies between provinces and territories.

CanadaDrives.ca, who created the infographic above, has put together an excellent article that reviews the distracted driving penalties in each province and territory.

According to data from Transport Canada’s National Collision Database, distracted driving contributed to an estimated 21% of fatal collisions and 27% of serious injury collisions in 2016. These statistics show an upward trend in distracted driving incidents: fatal collisions were 16% and serious injury collisions 22% a decade earlier.

Transport Canada encourages every driver to take responsibility and drive distraction-free:

• Never text while driving, even when you are stopped in traffic or at a traffic light
• If you must send or receive a call or text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first
• Avoid using any device that may take your attention away from the task of driving, including your car’s navigation or infotainment systems
• Keep your eyes on the road and safely control your vehicle at all times
• Encourage friends and family to drive distraction-free

When I get in the driver’s seat of my car, I put my phone on silent and put it in the glove compartment. It can be really hard to do – I’m attached to my phone like everyone else. But I remind myself that even if someone calls or texts me, they would want me to drive safe rather than answer – for my sake and those I share the road with.

~ Kate T.

Spring is in the air and many of us are experiencing the travel itch. Staying local and exploring what your own province has to offer is still the best plan. We were delighted to see Andrea, aka @Mommy Gearest, and her family tooling around in a Prius and stopping off at one of our EV Fast Charge stations.

Check out her post and her story on Instagram where she talks about charging an EV in colder temperatures and shows off our EV app. Thanks, Andrea!