HVO100, short for hydrotreated vegetable oil, is a fuel made exclusively from renewable raw materials. It is produced by the Finnish company Neste and requires less energy to produce than fossil fuel, making its life cycle more sustainable. HVO100 can be used in modern diesel engines without any modifications, offering up to 90% lower CO2 emissions, superior performance, and easier storage.
Dávid Halász, Head of Alternative Fuels at Eurowag, highlighted the importance of HVO100 in meeting the growing demand for sustainability and a lower carbon footprint in the supply chain.
“Today’s announcement that the Rail Reform Bill is to deliver on the 2019 Manifesto commitments to advance the rail reform programme is encouraging news for logistics businesses that are keen to maximise rail as a mode for the delivery of goods across the economy,” he stated.
Despite these challenges, Eurowag is ready to offer HVO100 at all its petrol stations, pending changes in legislation or customer demand. The company has designed its stations to offer HVO100 almost immediately and without high costs.
“If there is customer interest in this fuel, supported, for example, by a reduction in excise duty compared to conventional fuel, we are ready to respond quickly,” Halász added.
Eurowag has long been committed to reducing emissions from freight transport. This year, the company has introduced two new LNG stations and is also focusing on electromobility. Its goal is to offer its customers a complete portfolio of clean mobility services. The company’s readiness to offer HVO100 demonstrates its ongoing commitment to sustainable transport solutions.
However, the wider use of HVO100 renewable fuel has so far been hampered by limited availability. The legislation in many European countries and at the EU level does not adequately support this renewable fuel. In these countries, HVO100 is subject to the same excise duty as fossil fuel, which is significantly more harmful to the environment.
“The excise duty on HVO100 should take into account its environmental benefits, not classify it as a fossil fuel, which produces disproportionately more emissions. Such a move would give HVO100 a better chance to compete with fossil fuels on price and make this green solution much more attractive for carriers,” Halász stressed.
For petrol stations, the inclusion of pure HVO in the fuel offer means a certain investment, as the renewable fuel must have its own, completely clean tank and refuelling gun. Therefore, HVO has so far been used mainly as an additive to fossil diesel.
This is to increase engine reliability in cold weather and reduce emissions. Pure HVO100 can be refuelled at Eurowag acceptance network stations in the Benelux, Scandinavia, and Italy from 2022, Eurowag’s own stations in Austria offer HVO100 from December 2023, with the Czech Republic soon to follow.
Currently, Eurowag customers can refuel with HVO100 at a total of 140 stations in 7 countries. In addition, all Eurowag petrol stations are ready for a very fast deployment of HVO100 biofuel if the country’s legislation or customer demand clears the way for it.
“Eurowag stations are designed to offer HVO100 almost immediately and without high costs. If there is customer interest in this fuel, supported, for example, by a reduction in excise duty compared to conventional fuel, we are ready to respond quickly,” added Dávid Halász.