Common Misconceptions About HVO

As with all innovations, there are some misconceptions about HVO fuel that could potentially slow its adoption amongst those who would benefit from it the most – companies and individuals looking for a cost-effective and minimally disruptive way to reduce their emissions. We debunk those misconceptions here, so you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your fuels.

HVO is the same as biodiesel

HVO is not a biodiesel, it’s a second-generation biofuel.

This is because first-generation biofuels are chemically Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, or FAME, which are prone to a number of issues including:

• High vulnerability to bacterial contamination
• Short storage lifespan

HVO is 100% FAME-free, which makes it far more resistant to bacterial contamination, gives it a much longer storage lifespan of up to 10 years, and a CFPP of up to -32^oC.

HVO has poor cold weather performance

Quality HVO fuel has excellent cold-weather performance and is better than fossil diesel in low temperatures.

HVO’s cold filter plugging point (the point at which paraffin crystals start to form within the fuel and block filters) is up to -32^oC. Fossil diesel’s typical CFPP is only up to -15^oC, which is due in part to the FAME that’s blended into the fuel under UK law.

This also means that HVO can be used year-round without the need for different grades or additives – unlike diesel, which is sold in both summer and winter variants.

HVO causes filter plugging issues

All fuels can cause filter-plugging issues for a variety of reasons; extremely low temperatures, physical or bacterial contamination and sludge buildup are just a few of the most common culprits.

Good-quality HVO will cause no more filter plugging issues than any other fuel. At Speedy Fuels, we only supply high-quality fuels to minimise the risk of our customers encountering issues with our products.

HVO has a shorter shelf life than mineral diesel

Good-quality mineral/fossil diesel that’s stored in perfect conditions and is free from contamination has a shelf life of up to a year.

HVO, stored under the same conditions, has a storage lifespan of up to 10 years due to the lack of FAME content. This makes the fuel ideal for long-term backup power generation, such as in data centres and hospitals. 

You must blend HVO with mineral diesel to get the best results

HVO does not need to be blended with mineral or fossil diesel in order to maximise the benefits of the fuel.

Pure, quality HVO provides:

• Up to 90% reduction of net carbon emissions
• Year-round usability 
• A shelf life of up to 10 years
• A reduction in NOx and PM emissions
• Exceptional cold-weather performance
• A wide range of OEM approvals

HVO doesn’t require any fossil diesel content in order to provide its maximum benefit. In fact, despite HVO’s drop-in functionality, blending it with diesel will limit the desirable qualities of the fuel. That’s why we will always recommend that users have their tanks cleaned and emptied before switching to HVO.

Is HVO the renewable fuel you’re looking for?

Compared to more established liquid fuels like mineral diesel, HVO can be considered a relative newcomer. It combines modern, efficient hydrotreatment processes with renewable and sustainable feedstocks to produce a second-generation biofuel that has all the usability of diesel with none of a traditional biodiesel’s drawbacks.