Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to Clean Energy Fuels Corp.	$ (8,973)	$ (3,934)	$ (46,399)	$ (90,770)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	222,239,376	223,008,202	222,409,802	209,771,584
Dilutive effect of potential common shares from restricted stock units and stock options	0	0	0	0
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted	222,239,376	223,008,202	222,409,802	209,771,584
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.43)
Diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.43)