As world leaders gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, for COP29 to tackle the climate crisis, much of the discussion around decarbonising the global transport industry will likely focus on the transition to electric vehicles (EV), but HVO should be part of the environmental debate, says Ollie Bradshaw, sustainability lead at Certas Energy.
While headline-grabbing EV commitments dominate climate conferences, the immediate reality of decarbonising transport requires a more nuanced approach.
HVO, produced from sustainable waste materials and vegetable oils, is an invaluable transition tool, offering up to 90% carbon emission reductions compared to conventional diesel.
Interchangeable with diesel, HVO is a ready-to-use, drop-in alternative, so there’s no need for infrastructure overhauls, vehicle fleet replacements or any engine modifications, and it is becoming more readily available.
At COP29, Prime Minster Keir Starmer announced a fresh ambition to reduce carbon emissions by 81% by 2035. This short to medium term renewable fuel could be part of the solution to help achieve this goal.
The technical advantages of HVO extend beyond just its environmental benefits. Its sophisticated hydrotreatment production process gives it a much longer shelf life than conventional diesel. By stripping away oxygen, water and other contaminants, HVO is a purer, more stable fuel option than conventional diesel.
Compared to biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester or FAME), HVO reduces the frequency of downtime due to maintenance, such as filter blockages and water contamination in bulk storage. HVO can reduce maintenance costs due to cleaner burning, it reduces particulate build-up, engine wear, and ageing of engine oils.
Unlike compressed natural gas (CNG), which requires new temperature-controlled tanks, HVO can be used in existing diesel engines without vehicle modifications. This enables an immediate integration into fleets.
For fleet operators and fuel retailers alike, this translates to reduced maintenance costs and reliable operations, making HVO not only an environmental choice, but a smart one for business operations.
This diversification of fuel options is reshaping the traditional forecourt model. Modern stations are becoming energy hubs, offering multiple fuelling solutions to meet varied customer needs.
In the future, we anticipate forecourt operators to embrace this alternative fuel in what would be flexible, future-ready stations that can serve whatever fuel source their customers require.
For forecourt operators, this transition presents both challenges and opportunities. The initial investment in alternative fuel infrastructure isn’t insignificant, but we expect that early movers will see long-term benefits.
Whilst electric mobility is important, the real transformation of our transport sector will depend on embracing a mix of the available solutions, including alternative fuels like HVO, that can deliver immediate emissions benefits while we build tomorrow’s zero-emission infrastructure.
