Fuel Buyers Guide to HVO Renewable Diesel
Why should I be
interested in HVO?
Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil, HVO for short, is a diesel-type fuel made from sustainable and renewable material instead of crude oil.
Most HVO currently imported into the UK is made from used cooking oil, some include small quantities of post-industrial waste like tall oil, tallow and other fats, oils and greases. These waste products are treated with hydrogen in a refinery to produce a clear, bright, odourless fuel that can replace diesel with no modification in most applications.
If you use diesel in your business, at some point you are going to have to look into alternatives, either because your customers want you to, or because legislation forces you to.
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The Facts about HVO
Does HVO effect my fleet’s warrantees or insurance?
Most major OEMs have approved HVO’s use across a range of applications, including (but not limited to):
HGVs: DAF, IVECO, MAN, Mercedez-Benz, Renault, Scania, Volvo
Non-Road Vehicles: AGCO, Caterpillar, John Deere, Scania, STEYR
Passenger Vehicles: Citroën, DS, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Renault, Volvo.
We can provide specific case studies and OEM approvals on request.
How does fuel consumption compare to fossil diesel?
The consumption rate of Prema HVO is very similar to conventional diesel if not better.
This is largely due to the fact that conventional diesel, unlike Prema HVO, typically contains Biodiesel FAME. The calorific value of this biodiesel element is lower than Prema HVO.
When comparing Prema HVO with conventional diesel, studies have discovered a slight tendency (0.5%) towards lower energy consumption in MJ/km and better engine efficiency with Prema HVO.
What is the specification of HVO?
HVO fuel is a paraffinic renewable diesel fuel derived from sustainable raw materials.
Prema HVO meets EN15490 and is approved for use by most major engine manufactures.
The fuel is formulated from fossil-free and FAME-free sources and is certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)
Will HVO lead to increased services or repairs?
HVO is actually a higher performance and cleaner burning alternative to fossil diesel. This typically results in our customers performing similar or less frequent fuel filter changes.
We recommend that you speak with your service provider to confirm requirements for your model.
HVO meets the widely accepted EN15490 fuel specification.
I currently fuel-up at forecourts. How can I fuel my fleet?
With drop-in, ‘plug and play’, standalone tanks, with fuel management systems and dispensers at your depots.
We provide these on both lease and purchase agreements.
Speak to an expert to determine your approximate volume requirements – from there, we will arrange an Engineer to visit your site to determine what set-up would be best for your specific requirements.
Should I expect the same issues as FAME biodiesel?
No, HVO is completely different from FAME. In fact, HVO is a higher performance fuel than traditional fossil diesel.
Biodiesel also known as FAME diesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) is a first-generation biofuel. It is well known for its poor performance; especially in storage and in cold weather.
HVO is a second-generation biofuel. It can be stored for up to 10 years with no problems, and has superior in use performance to fossil diesel.
What is HVO fuel?
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil is one of several renewable biofuel alternatives to fossil fuel diesel that have emerged in recent years. Although ‘vegetable oil’ is in the name, it can be produced from a range of different vegetable and non-vegetable feedstocks, including:
- Used vegetable cooking oil
- Animal fat residue
- Tall oil, a by-product of wood pulp manufacture
Non-food grade crop-based vegetable oils such as rapeseed, soy and palm.
Many of these oils can also be used to produce other renewable fuels like biodiesel, which can be found in regular diesel at the pump today. However, HVO is a fundamentally separate product that should never be confused with biodiesel.
International Sustainability & Carbon Certified (ISCC)
Our 100% HVO coupled with the Renewable Fuel Assurance Scheme (RFAS) protocol provides clear supply chain traceability and specific GHG emission data, thereby guaranteeing the sustainability of the fuel and GHG emissions for accurate company carbon reporting.
Helping UK industry to control energy costs and reduce emissions
Prema Energy are importers, blenders and wholesalers of liquid fuels. We help our clients control their costs and emissions with fuels and technology best-suited to their specific applications and business goals.