Over the past few years, the importance of using fuel that’s friendly to the environment has been at the forefront of many people’s minds when making crucial decisions for their business – one of the big questions being whether to switch to HVO or keep using diesel to power their machinery. We recently wrote a blog post about our experience meeting North East Bedfordshire MP, Richard Fuller, and talking about net zero – how HVO can play a huge role in lowering net carbon emissions by up to 90%. Diesel tends to be the most common fuel choice with HVO as its chosen potential alternative.
Benefits of increasing your HVO usage can include: reducing your emissions, improving your environmental performance on your work sites and ensuring that your processes are as sustainable as they can be.
HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is a fossil-free environmentally-friendly alternative to mineral diesel, used within a wide range of modern vehicles, generators, construction machinery and industrial power systems. This type of biofuel is derived from vegetable oils through a specialised hydrotreatment process – read more about this renewable fuel in our HVO blog.
Diesel is a product made through the refinement of crude oil. This oil contains hydrocarbons that are found underground, made from the remains of plants and animals from millions of years ago – when extracting this fossil fuel through processes like drilling and mining, natural gases like methane are released into the atmosphere. When fossil fuels are burned in vehicles, power stations etc for energy, various gases are released into the air including CO2, in turn, increasing emissions.
Performance-wise, HVO & Diesel are similar. Both offer similar performance in terms of power and engine compatibility, and most diesel engines can run on HVO without modification.
Diesel is made from crude oil and HVO is a biofuel made from renewable sources like vegetable oils and fats as a result of this, switching to HVO from diesel reduces your greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%, making Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil a significantly more eco-friendly option.
HVO lasts 9 years longer on the shelf than diesel. Diesel lasts 1 year, and HVO lasts 10 years due to its overall lack of impurities, however, the latter is typically more costly than diesel – contact us to learn more about our prices.
Environmental Impact
HVO has a significantly lower environmental impact compared to diesel.
Cost & Availabilty
HVO is generally more expensive than diesel and the availability of this renewable diesel can also be quite limited, especially in certain regions. This can affect your operating costs and potentially limit your fuelling options.
Diesel is the typically cheaper fuel and is readily available at most petrol stations and fuel suppliers, ensuring quick and easy refuelling for your fleet.
Business Needs
Consider your typical travel range and refuelling frequency. If your operation covers long distances and relies on readily available fuel, diesel might be the more practical option for now.
There isn’t a standard answer when deciding between HVO and Diesel but by carefully considering the factors mentioned above, you can determine which fuel option best aligns with your business’s environmental goals, operational needs and budget. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, HVO presents a promising alternative but for some businesses, diesel could still be the most practical choice for now.
Above all, continue to stay informed and make a decision that aligns with your company’s values and long-term vision. Contact us to learn more about HVO, check the HVO page on our website or read our blog piece all about this diesel alternative.
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