Both rice and praise for HVO

From a carbon dioxide perspective, the diesel car suddenly becomes environmentally friendly – if it is refueled with 100% HVO. Nevertheless, HVO100 is controversial and several car manufacturers are hesitant.

HVO is hydrotreated vegetable oil and is, in its structure, largely chemically identical to fossil diesel. However, HVO falls under a different umbrella and classification than fossil diesel and only a few car manufacturers approve both classifications in their engines. Currently, HVO100, as the fuel is called, is approved by Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Nissan. But BMW, Volvo and Mercedes are also in the process of approval, with the latter two already underway with projects where taxis run on HVO100.

No disadvantages - from an emissions perspective

Lucien Koopmans, professor at Chalmers and head of the department of Combustion and Propulsion Systems, has conducted tests that show no disadvantages with HVO100, they only saw a positive impact on emissions. Admittedly, they have only conducted combustion tests and no tests that show how the engine is affected over time.

Carl-Erik Sthernvall, technical expert at the Swedish Motormen's Association, also talks about the benefits of HVO.

-It is important to point out that second-generation renewable fuels should not be compared to first-generation fuels. Ethanol, RME and similar fuels are a more crude form of biofuel. HVO100, which instead falls within the second-generation fuels, goes through a refining process that creates a fuel whose molecules are essentially identical to fossil diesel. This is the difference, and is what creates the possibility of replacing fossil fuels entirely, says Carl-Erik Stjernvall.

Controversial raw material

In addition to the fact that the availability of fuel pumps is severely limited around the country, the environmental aspect is controversial. The environmental benefits we get with HVO100 largely depend on the raw material used in its manufacture.

The fuel can be made from palm oil, a raw material that is known to have a major impact on the rainforest. Neste, which is the world's largest HVO producer, produces much of its HVO diesel from PFAD, which is a waste product from the production of palm oil. But PFAD is also controversial and the Swedish government has recently decided to exclude it from the Swedish market, as it is seen as part of the palm oil industry.

However, research is underway and tests are being carried out on other raw materials. For example, residues from the fishing industry or slaughterhouse waste can serve as raw materials. One alternative that seems relevant for motorists here in the north is tall oil, which can be extracted from the production of paper pulp. Unfortunately, the supply is somewhat limited and there is also information that tall oil is sensitive to cold.

The exciting and important sequel about the fuel in today's and especially future cars continues.

Fact box: What is HVO?

HVO stands for Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil and is a renewable fuel that can be mixed with diesel or can replace diesel in diesel engines, according to Teknikens Värld . HVO is produced by processing a vegetable oil or animal fats with hydrogen under the influence of a catalyst.

Fatty acids react with hydrogen at high temperature and pressure, creating hydrocarbon chains that are identical to diesel fuel. The only difference from fossil diesel is that HVO has a slightly lower density and energy content.