HVO: The Sustainable Fuel Alternative and How It Can Benefit You

Tue, Aug 24, 2021

Being one of the relatively new renewable diesel alternatives on the UK market, HVO is leading the way as a more sustainable and clear solution due to its unique characteristics.

Although diesel is still widely used by many, more and more companies are searching for green fuels to reduce their environmental impact and emissions. With the clear focus on the decarbonisation of the transport and home heating oil sector and achieving the net zero target, the fuel industry is quickly adapting to new, more sustainable fuels such as HVO. But do you know what HVO fuel is and how you can benefit from switching to it?

Don’t have time to read the article…

What is HVO?

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HVO, also known as hydrotreated vegetable oil, is made from raw materials such as waste fats, vegetables, and oils that are treated through a highly specialist hydrotreatment process to create high-quality paraffinic fuel. HVO is fossil-free and one of the world’s cleanest fuels on the market, with low aromatic and naphthenic hydrocarbon content and no sulphur content. Being 100% bio and 100% hydrocarbon, hydrotreated vegetable oil meets EN 15940 regulatory standards and Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC Annex II and has a wide range of OEM approvals.

HVO fuel and diesel are similar in density, viscosity and energy content, which makes this green fuel fully compatible with the already in place diesel fuel infrastructure and dispensing equipment, and a perfect drop-in alternative. As end users can use this renewable diesel alternative straightaway without modifying engines or infrastructure, HVO can be considered a cheaper and quicker solution to switch to compared to other options like electric vehicles.

What are the benefits of HVO fuel?

As a second-generation biofuel, HVO has many operational and environmental benefits compared to the traditional diesel and first-generation biofuel alternatives. Suitable for use in a wide range of industries including those using on an off-road vehicles, and generators used at data centres and hospitals, this paraffinic fuel reduces emissions by up to 90% and improves engine performance. So, if you are considering switching to a more sustainable solution, here is how you can benefit from the numerous advantages that HVO offers:

  • Improving the air quality – Hydrotreated vegetable oil reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%, nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 30% and significantly reduces particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions.
  • Zero FAME – Although this green fuel can still be contaminated with small particles, it can resist the attack of diesel bugs and water contamination. It does not absorb moisture, reducing water content and the chance of it forming nasty sludge.
  • Excellent cold weather properties – This renewable diesel solution has low cloud point (-32°C), providing better starting performance, clean combustion, and less chance of waxing in extremely cold weather.
  • Higher cetane number (up to 90) – This makes HVO extremely efficient fuel. The higher the cetane number, the faster it ignites, resulting in improved engine performance and reduced Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
  • Extended storage life – As this paraffinic fuel is FAME and sulphur-free, meaning it doesn’t suffer from water contamination issues traditional diesel faces, it can be stored for up to 10 years, ensuring good storage and maintenance.
  • Easy to use – HVO fuel has a high flashpoint, improving safety during storage and handling, is fully compatible with all diesel engines and equipment, and can be mixed with diesel fuel, but this decreases its performance capabilities.
  • Meets EN 15940:2016 specifications – As hydrotreated vegetable oil is 100% bio and 100% hydrocarbon, it meets the increasing bio legislations, and has received a wide range of approvals from OEMs such as: DAF, Scania, Volve, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Iveco, John Deere, Agco, Caterpillar, Steryr, FPT and JCB.
HVO statement

Our statement about HVO

At CTS, we are already seeing many of our fuel supplier customers offering new-generation fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil due to being fully compatible with the already in place diesel fuel infrastructure and equipment. With this in mind, we have carried out extensive testing of our own product range, including our tank alarms and probes, and can confirm that all of our equipment is suitable for use with HVO and GTL fuels as "drop-in" replacements for diesel. In addition, as the official UK agent of Piusi, we are pleased to announce that all Piusi products for diesel are 100% compatible with GTL , HVO fuel and other paraffinic fuels made according to the EN 15940:2019.

Need HVO refuelling equipment?

Our refuelling equipment is suitable for use with HVO and GTL fuels.