Fix the "invalid fuel" error for train trips in business travel

Before you start

You need an Editor role in your Dcycle organization.

Steps

Step 1

Why the error happens: the business travel template validates the fuel column against each transport mode, and the model currently assumes passenger rail is electric. For “Train”, the only accepted fuel values are “Renewable electric”, “Non-renewable electric” and “Unknown”. Any other value on a train row — such as “Diesel” — is rejected with an “invalid fuel” error. It’s not a problem with your file: it’s a current limitation of the model.

Step 2

To fix it, open your template and, in the fuel column of the train rows, replace the rejected value with one of the accepted ones. If you know where the train’s electricity comes from, use “Renewable electric” or “Non-renewable electric”. If it’s a diesel train or you aren’t sure, use “Unknown” — it applies a generic passenger-train emission factor without assuming renewable energy, which is the most representative and conservative option for now.

Step 3

To re-upload the corrected template, click “Data” in the left navigation.

Step 4

Click “Categories”.

Step 5

Open the “Business trips” category.

Step 6

Click “Add data” to open the upload options.

Step 7

Choose “Upload file”.

Step 8

Drag your corrected file onto this screen — or download a fresh template first with the “Excel template” / “CSV template” buttons. The import wizard guides you through four steps: Upload, Columns (map your columns), Values (check how your values match Dcycle’s) and Review. With the train rows now using an accepted fuel value, no row is rejected. Click “Submit” and the trips are added with their emissions calculated automatically.

Step 9

Support for selecting “Diesel” as a train fuel — with its corresponding emission factor — is on the roadmap. If your data isn’t urgent, you can wait for that improvement instead of editing the template; otherwise, “Unknown” is the recommended value in the meantime, and you can update the records later.