Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to Clean Energy Fuels Corp.	$ (13,235)	$ (79,667)	$ (37,426)	$ (86,836)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	222,433,900	207,047,221	222,496,426	203,043,580
Dilutive effect of potential common shares from restricted stock units and stock options	0	0	0	0
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted	222,433,900	207,047,221	222,496,426	203,043,580
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.38)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.43)
Diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.38)	$ (0.17)	$ (0.43)