Ford Approves HVO Fuel for Transit Vans

Carmaker Ford has this week announced the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO fuel) in its Transit vans, specifically its 2.0-litre EcoBlue vans. This makes it the latest in a number of vehicle manufacturers that approve the use of HVO fuel in their vehicles, joining the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Renault, Peugeot and others.

The renewable diesel fuel is made from waste oils, such as cooking oil that can be sourced from restaurants and takeaways – and even kitchens at home, and has several benefits over regular diesel. HVO fuel is part of the paraffinic family of fuels. This means it’s a high-quality, clean liquid fuel with zero sulphur content and aromatics.

The use of HVO fuel in place of conventional fossil fuels contributes to significant improvements in air quality, with up to a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions thanks to zero FAME and fossil content:

• -30% of PM (fine particles)
• -30% of Hydrocarbons (HC)
• -25% of Carbon monoxide (CO)
• -10% of Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Results based on more than 450 heavy-duty emissions tests on city driving cycle brought back to representative fleet (Euro 2 to Euro 6).

Renewable Diesel

HVO fuel, which also incorporates waste animal fats and fish oil, helps diesel engines start more easily in low temperatures – with the fuel staying mobile in temperatures as low as -32 degrees Celsius. The production process uses hydrogen as a catalyst, which means HVO is both a cleaner-burning alternative to conventional diesel fuels and has a longer shelf life of up to 10 years.

Learn more about how the fuel is manufactured in our HVO FAQ page.

Before approval, the carmaker thoroughly tested HVO fuel in its 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine to make sure no modifications are needed or services affected, thus confirming using HVO in Transit vans will not void their warranty.

Where can I buy HVO fuel for my Transit van?

Today, HVO fuel is becoming increasingly more widely available in many fuel stations in Europe, mainly in Scandinavia and the Baltic states, where it can be offered in a pure form, or as a blend with regular diesel. In the UK, HVO can be ordered in bulk to anywhere in the UK from Crown Oil.

To discuss fuelling your fleet of Transit vans with HVO fuel, a sustainable and renewable diesel alternative, contact Crown Oil on 0330 123 1444.