Biodiesel vs HVO what is best for your business
Biodiesel vs HVO guide, Rachel Pearson – Key Account Manager,Fleetmaxx Solutions – Whitstable
I’m Rachel Pearson, a Key Account Manager and FORS Advanced Practitioner at Fleetmaxx Solutions in Whitstable. Recently, a client asked me to put together a presentation comparing HVO and biodiesel, and I realised it could be helpful to share with others in the industry. So, here’s a breakdown of the key differences between HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) and biodiesel to help you decide which might be best for your fleet.
What is HVO Fuel?
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- Stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil.
- Made through hydroprocessing of renewable feedstocks like vegetable oils or animal fats.
- Chemically similar to fossil diesel, offering a drop-in replacement.
- Significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil diesel.
What is Biodiesel?
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- Derived from used cooking oil, food waste, and animal fats.
- A second-generation biofuel and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
- Typically blended with fossil diesel (e.g., B7 blend with up to 7% biodiesel).
- Higher biodiesel content in blends leads to greater CO₂ emissions reduction.
- Blends over 10% biodiesel are called High Blend Fuel, combining biodiesel with fossil diesel.
Biodiesel vs HVO: The differences
Feedstock & production process
- HVO fuel: HVO is made from vegetable oils or animal fats through a process called hydrogenation, which makes it chemically similar to fossil diesel.
- Biodiesel: Produced from renewable sources like vegetable oil, used cooking oil, and animal fats via transesterification, converting oils and fats into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).
Compatibility with diesel engines
- HVO fuel: Can be used as a direct replacement for fossil diesel in all diesel engines without any modifications.
- Biodiesel: Typically used in blends like B5 or B20. Higher concentrations (like B100) may require engine modifications.
Environmental impact
- HVO fuel: Reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil diesel and produces fewer particulates and NOx emissions.
- Biodiesel: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 50-80%, but can produce more NOx emissions compared to HVO.
Cold weather performance
- HVO fuel: Performs well in cold weather with excellent cold flow properties, reducing the risk of fuel gelling.
- Biodiesel: More prone to gelling in cold weather, especially at higher concentrations.
Energy content
- HVO fuel: Has a higher energy content than biodiesel, offering better fuel economy and efficiency.
- Biodiesel: Slightly lower energy content, which can lead to reduced fuel economy.
Fuel stability & storage
- HVO fuel: Has excellent storage stability and is less likely to degrade over time.
- Biodiesel: Prone to oxidation and degradation if stored for long periods, especially at higher concentrations.
Sustainability
- HVO fuel: Strong sustainability profile, especially when made from waste oils or animal fats.
- Biodiesel: Also sustainable, but the environmental impact varies depending on the feedstock, with some concerns over land use when food-based crops are used.
Cost & availability
- HVO fuel: Generally more expensive due to the hydrogenation process but becoming more available.
- Biodiesel: Cheaper and widely available, particularly in blends like B5 and B20.
Where can Fleetmaxx customers purchase HVO?
At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we make it easier for businesses to access HVO renewable diesel in a way that suits their vehicles, routes and daily operations.
Whether you need HVO delivered directly to your depot or want drivers to refuel while travelling, we can help you explore the available options.
Shell Renewable Diesel with a Shell Card
Customers using a Shell Card can now access Shell Renewable Diesel at selected Shell service stations.
Shell Renewable Diesel is Shell’s HVO100 fuel and provides eligible fleets with another way to introduce renewable diesel into their operations while continuing to use the familiar Shell network.
This is an exciting development for businesses looking to reduce lifecycle fleet emissions without immediately replacing compatible diesel vehicles.
HVO availability can vary by location, so please check that Shell Renewable Diesel is offered at your chosen service station before travelling.
Bulk HVO deliveries
If your business operates from its own depot or consumes a significant amount of fuel, we can arrange bulk HVO deliveries directly to your premises.
Having HVO available on site provides a convenient way to refuel compatible vehicles, machinery, generators and other diesel-powered equipment. It can also give your business greater control over fuel availability, consumption and operational planning.
We offer a range of portable and static HVO storage tanks, giving your business a safe, secure and convenient way to store renewable fuel wherever it is needed most across your fleet operation.
Our team can discuss your expected fuel usage, delivery schedule and storage requirements before helping you find a suitable bulk HVO solution.
Access HVO with an HGV MAXX Fuel Card
Our HGV MAXX Fuel Card customers can also purchase HVO at selected filling stations.
HGV MAXX has been developed around the needs of commercial vehicle operators, providing access to an extensive network of HGV-friendly refuelling locations.
As HVO is only available at participating sites, drivers should check the site facilities before planning their journey.
Access HVO with a UK Fuels Card
Customers using a UK Fuels Card can purchase HVO at selected participating sites across the network.
This provides drivers with the flexibility to access renewable diesel while they are out on the road, without requiring your business to install an HVO storage tank at its premises.
Availability varies between filling stations, so we recommend checking that HVO is available at your chosen location before travelling.
Conclusion: Biodiesel vs HVO, which is better?
- HVO: Ideal for those who need better cold-weather performance, higher CO2 reduction, and a direct replacement for fossil diesel.
- Biodiesel: Better for those seeking a cost-effective, readily available fuel, especially in blends like B5 or B20.
If you’d like to dive deeper into this comparison, feel free to download the full presentation here. I hope this breakdown helps you make an informed decision for your fleet’s fuel needs.
Additional Biodiesel & HVO reading you will find of interest
HVO vs HVO100
So, are HVO and HVO100 actually the same thing? What sets them apart, and can you use either fuel in your existing diesel vehicles? Let Fleetmaxx Solutions clear up the confusion in plain English.
HVO & ADBLUE
Do you still need AdBlue when switching to HVO? It is one of the most common questions fleet operators ask when looking to reduce emissions without replacing their existing diesel vehicles or equipment.
