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HVO100 And Other Renewable Fuels Are Changing The Transportation Sector. Learn Why Manufacturers Like BMW And Stellantis Are Investing In This Technology.
When the debate about reducing greenhouse gas emissions in transportation gained momentum years ago, conventional wisdom indicated that the quickest way to reduce emissions was not to change the powertrain technology, but rather the composition of the fuel. While the transition to electric vehicles takes decades to renew billions of cars, technologies that “clean” what is already on the roads offer an immediate solution for a planet in a hurry.
The Drop-in Fuel Revolution
Unlike traditional biofuels that require mechanical adaptations or limited mixtures, the industry’s focus is now on drop-in fuel. These products are 100% free from fossil sources and can be used without modifications to the engines.
The protagonist of this change is HVO100 (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), or renewable diesel. Although often confused with conventional biodiesel (FAME), HVO100 undergoes a hydrotreatment process that removes oxygen from its composition, resulting in a pure paraffinic hydrocarbon. This ensures a much higher stability than conventional biodiesel, which tends to absorb moisture and form sludge when stored for long periods.
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The Movement of Giants: BMW and Stellantis
Major manufacturers already validate this technology as a key piece to achieving neutrality goals. Stellantis recently validated its entire range of diesel engines for the use of HVO, including models from brands like Fiat, Jeep, and Peugeot with Euro 5 and 6 certification.
BMW took a step further in Germany: since January of this year, all of its new diesel vehicles come off the assembly line with tanks filled with HVO100 produced by Finnish company Neste MY. The Bavarian manufacturer has certified the use of this renewable fuel for all its passenger cars manufactured since March 2020, proving that the existing fleet is a fundamental part of the climate solution.
Life Cycle: The “Well-to-Wheel” Perspective
To understand the real environmental impact, the Well-to-Wheel concept is used. Unlike simplistic analysis that focuses only on the tailpipe, this method accounts for emissions from raw material extraction and refining to logistics and final combustion. Under this perspective, HVO100 provides a reduction of 90% in CO₂ emissions compared to fossil diesel. Additionally, due to having a higher cetane number (between 70 and 90, compared to 51 of standard diesel), it improves combustion efficiency and reduces emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Scale Challenges and The Future of the Fleet
With around 250 million vehicles operating in Europe alone, the strategy to diversify fuel is vital to avoid the premature scrapping of functional fleets. However, the challenge lies in scalability: global HVO production is still a fraction of total diesel demand.
Still, as a transition tool, renewable fuels fill a gap where full electrification still faces bottlenecks, such as in heavy freight transport and in regions with poor charging infrastructure. By focusing on fuel, the industry ensures that decarbonization is not just a privilege for those who can buy a new car, but a reality for billions of engines already in operation.
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