05/22/2026
B5 diesel vs. R99 diesel — quick comparison
• B5 diesel = conventional petroleum diesel blended with 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel.
• R99 diesel usually means 99% renewable diesel (sometimes called HVO), with ~1% additive package.
Biggest differences
1) What they’re made from
• B5 uses a small amount of biodiesel mixed into regular diesel.
• R99 is renewable diesel, made from fats/oils but chemically refined so it behaves much more like petroleum diesel.
2) Compatibility
• B5 is generally accepted in almost all diesel engines with no special changes.
• R99 is also commonly a drop-in fuel for many diesel engines, but I’d still check the vehicle or equipment manufacturer guidance for your specific model.
I hope this helps customers who are continually confused by these two products.
