Propel said it is bringing locally-produced, low carbon fuels to drivers in Fresno through its innovative fueling station model — the Clean Mobility Center.

The station, located at 4994 E. Ashlan Avenue, will be the first in Fresno to offer E85 Flex Fuel and biodiesel, both sourced from Central Valley producers including Community Fuels in Stockton and Calgren Renewable Fuels in Pixley.

The grand opening of this new station was held today, April 9, at 11 am.

Propel Fuels describes itself as a leading retailer of renewable fuels and clean mobility solutions.

Fresno’s Clean Mobility Center offers renewable fuels alongside conventional fuels to, according to the company, provide drivers with true choice at the pump. In addition, the station enables drivers to offset carbon from their fuel purchases, improve their vehicle’s fuel economy, find public transit, tune bicycles, and recycle on the go.

“Rapid swings in fuel prices are a constant reminder of our need to increase choice and competition in the fuel market,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel. “And as more consumers embrace local, renewable fuels and seek cleaner means of transportation, Propel Clean Mobility Centers will help make progress toward our country’s most pressing economic and environmental issues.”

The company said their new station model rethinks the traditional gas station, providing a highly visible platform to introduce the renewable fuels to a mainstream driver base alongside conventional fuel options.

Today more than one million Californians drive alternative fuel-ready vehicles, but most do not have access to renewable fuels.

Propel’s stations were the first to offer drivers the option to offset carbon emissions from their fuel purchase right from the pump. Drivers and fleets can also track and report CO2 emission reductions from their use of renewable fuels through Propel’s proprietary CleanDrive program.

“Until now, Fresno’s drivers have not had the option of filling up with renewable fuels like E85 and biodiesel,” said Ashley Swearengin, Mayor of Fresno. “Our community welcomes these new choices at the pump and our city is pleased to play a role in supporting local manufacturing.”

Propel’s new Fresno station will sell locally-sourced biodiesel from Community Fuels in Stockton and ethanol from Calgren Renewable Fuels in Pixley.

Community Fuels produces high quality biodiesel at the company’s 13 million gallons per year bio-refinery at the Port of Stockton which has been in continuous operation since 2008 and is one of the largest operating advanced bio-refineries in the Western U.S.

Opened in 2009, Calgren’s 55 million gallon per year ethanol plant is one of the most efficient operations and lowest carbon footprint facilities in the country.

“Propel’s new station in Fresno makes it easier than ever for our fuels to reach local drivers,” said Lyle Schlyer, President of Calgren. “As Propel expands their network of stations in the area, we look forward to growing our partnership with Propel so more Central Valley drivers have convenient access to high quality, American made fuels like ours.”

Propel Fuels also said that its Clean Mobility Centers utilize green design and sustainability practices that promote cleaner transportation in the communities they serve. Each station has free air stations for tires to increase vehicle miles per gallon (MPG), education centers offering information on local public transit, innovative bicycle tuning centers, recycling stations at the pump, and in the future, emerging fueling types such as natural gas and electric vehicle charging.

Propel currently operates more than 35 stations throughout California and Washington State; more than 200 stations planned for new and existing markets over the next two years.

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Propel Fuels says it has closed on the initial phase of its Series D round of funding with $11 million in equity capital from existing investors Nth Power, Craton Equity Partners, and @Ventures as well as a new investor, Gentry Venture Partners.

In addition, the company has secured $10 million in debt financing.

Propel currently operates stations throughout California and Washington State with more than 200 stations planned for new and existing markets over the next two years.

Propel says the new funding will allow the company to accelerate the build-out of its network of stations that aims to offer drivers the cleanest, most sustainable, domestically produced fuels on the market today.

Propel currently operates a growing network of stations that provide renewable fuels (Flex Fuel E85, biodiesel blends) alongside the conventional gasoline that most drivers use today.

Offering a better station experience that reaches beyond fuel is a major goal of the company.

Propel also enables drivers to offset carbon from their fuel purchases, improve their vehicle’s fuel economy, find rideshare opportunities, tune bicycles, and recycle on the go.

Propel is the only fueling company in the country known to bring drivers the opportunity to offset their emissions at the pump through the company’s CarbonOffset program.

This year, Propel was named to Inc. Magazine’s list of the Fastest Growing Private Companies (the 17th fastest growing energy company); the 8th Fastest Growing Private Company in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal; and the 14th Fastest Growing Private Company in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times.

“The continuing support of our existing investors, the new investment from Gentry, and the access to additional debt capital is a strong endorsement for our vision, our accomplishments, and team,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel. “This new funding, combined with grant funding from the State of California, will enable us to accelerate the build out of our alternative fuel stations across state, offering consumers true choice and a better experience at the pump.”

Propel says that as part of the investment by Gentry, Thomas B. Raterman, a Partner, has joined Propel’s Board of Directors. Raterman has more than 30 years of corporate finance, investment banking, and executive management with rapidly growing entrepreneurial companies.

“We’re witnessing a revolution in transportation, whether it’s innovative new enzymes to create clean fuels, or whole new drivetrains and power systems in the vehicles themselves,” said Raterman. “Propel is creating a position as a trusted source of the most advanced fuels on the market today – no matter what type of vehicle you drive. We’re excited to help them succeed.”

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