Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 82,572	$ 108,522
Restricted cash	9,507	8,445
Short-term investments	37,966	38,175
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $905 and $818 as of December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013, respectively	47,359	57,594
Other receivables	45,425	17,808
Inventory, net	44,218	38,152
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	17,870	16,002
Total current assets	284,917	284,698
Land, property and equipment, net	438,408	428,177
Restricted cash	1,435	13,208
Notes receivable and other long-term assets	69,951	71,389
Investments in other entities		2,581
Goodwill	74,884	75,865
Intangible assets, net	95,275	99,282
Total assets	964,870	975,200
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	28,851	30,389
Accounts payable	21,988	39,216
Accrued liabilities	41,188	30,794
Deferred revenue	13,907	13,521
Total current liabilities	105,934	113,920
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion	286,091	300,636
Other long-term liabilities	14,534	14,014
Total liabilities	406,559	428,570
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding no shares
Common stock, $0.0001 par value. Authorized 149,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 87,634,478 shares and 88,511,691 shares at December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2013, respectively	9	9
Additional paid-in capital	855,287	837,367
Accumulated deficit	(304,685)	(300,814)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,747	6,151
Total Clean Energy Fuels Corp. stockholders' equity	554,358	542,713
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	3,953	3,917
Total stockholders' equity	558,311	546,630
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 964,870	$ 975,200