BMW

All diesel BMWs produced in Germany have been running on five to eight liters of HVO100 fuel since January

There is growing interest in the development of new fuels for diesels. They are called “drop-in” fuels because they can be used without any negative effects or modifications to the car’s engine, and they are approved by a large number of major car manufacturers for use in their vehicles. Some manufacturers are selective about the compatibility of their cars, while others immediately approve the use of these fuels for new vehicles.

One of the most interesting fuels is HVO100 (HVO is hydrogenated vegetable oil), also known as renewable diesel and a hydrocarbon fuel similar to conventional fossil diesel. Last year, Stellantis certified its diesel engines for use with HVO and said that many of its Euro 5 and 6 engines are already compatible, writes Revija HAK.

In October, BMW showed fleet operators how they can reduce the carbon footprint of their fleets by using carbon-neutral fuels, as well as electric vehicles. Since January this year, all diesel BMWs produced in Germany have been filled with five to eight liters of HVO100 fuel before being delivered to dealers.

The fuel used by BMW is produced by Finnish manufacturer Neste MY and reduces CO2 emissions by 90% from “well to wheel” compared to conventional fossil diesel. BMW has approved all of its diesel passenger cars produced since March 2020 to use HVO100 fuel.

The “Drop-in” fuel revolution...Unlike traditional biofuels that require mechanical adaptations or limited blends, the industry's focus is now on “drop-in” fuel. These products are 100% free of fossil sources and can be used in engines without modifications.

The protagonist of this change is HVO100 (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil), or renewable diesel. Although often confused with conventional biodiesel (FAME), HVO100 undergoes a hydrotreatment process that eliminates oxygen from its composition, resulting in a pure paraffinic hydrocarbon. This ensures much greater stability than conventional biodiesel, which tends to absorb moisture and form sludge if stored for long periods.

Major manufacturers are already validating this technology as a key element in achieving carbon neutrality goals. Stellantis recently validated its entire range of diesel engines for the use of HVO, including models from the Fiat, Jeep, and Peugeot brands with Euro 5 and 6 certification.

BMW has taken a step further in Germany: since January of this year, all its new diesel vehicles leave the factory with the tank filled with HVO100 produced by the Finnish company Neste MY. The Bavarian manufacturer certified the use of this renewable fuel for all its passenger cars manufactured from March 2020 onwards, proving that the existing fleet is a fundamental part of the climate solution.

To understand the real environmental impact, the Well-to-Wheel concept is used. Unlike the simplistic analysis that focuses only on the exhaust, this method accounts for emissions from the extraction of raw materials and refining to logistics and final combustion. From this perspective, HVO100 provides a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to fossil diesel. Furthermore, by having a higher cetane number (between 70 and 90, compared to 51 for standard diesel), it improves combustion efficiency and reduces the emission of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Challenges of scale and the future of the fleet...With around 250 million vehicles circulating in Europe alone, the strategy of diversifying 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 the total diesel demand.

Even so, 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 a privilege only for those who can buy a new car, but a reality for the billions of engines already in operation.

What it is, and how it works...HVO100, also known as "green diesel," is an advanced biofuel that undergoes a chemical hydrotreating (HDT) process, unlike the transesterification used in conventional biodiesel. This results in a product with a chemical composition very similar to petroleum diesel, but with superior characteristics.

Raw material: It is produced from renewable sources and waste, such as rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, palm oil, and animal fats.

Compatibility: It is a "drop-in" fuel, meaning it can be used 100% pure (HVO100) or mixed with conventional diesel in any proportion, without the need for engine or fuel supply infrastructure modifications.

Production Process: The HDT process uses hydrogen to remove oxygen from oil molecules, generating pure hydrocarbons. This process requires complex facilities, similar to those of oil refineries.

Benefits...HVO100 offers several environmental and performance advantages compared to fossil diesel:

-Emission reduction: Reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90% throughout its life cycle compared to fossil diesel. It also emits fewer harmful particles (up to 33%).

-Performance: Provides cleaner combustion, better starting performance, and reduces the risk of "closing" (fuel solidification) at extremely low temperatures.

-Stability and storage: Has greater chemical stability than conventional biodiesel, which extends its shelf life and the interval between filter and pump changes.

Odorless and biodegradable: It is an odorless and biodegradable fuel.

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