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ADAC test: HVO100 emissions well below limits - and possibly advantageous for the climate

ADAC tests four vehicles with HVO100 and B7 diesel. This showed no significant differences in emission values. However, if it is actually produced from residual materials, the alternative fuel can achieve up to 90 percent lower CO2 emissions, even in the existing fleet.

HVO100 is predominantly made from residual and waste materials such as used cooking oils or residual fats. (Photo: ADAC/Test and Technology)
HVO100 is predominantly made from residual and waste materials such as used cooking oils or residual fats. (Photo: ADAC/Test and Technology)
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Johannes Reichel
von Franziska Neuner

Since May 2024, HVO100, a so-called paraffinic diesel fuel mainly made from residual and waste materials such as used cooking oils or residual fats, is allowed to be sold at German gas stations.

Four cars for comparison

The ADAC has now compared the emissions and fuel consumption of four vehicles with conventional, mineral diesel (B7). In addition to the Skoda Superb Combi 2.0 TDI, BMW 520d Touring, and Mercedes E 220 d T-model, the VW Caddy 2.0 TDI was also tested, which will now supplement the ADAC roadside assistance fleet. The ADAC roadside assistance personnel already refuel their vehicles with HVO100 whenever possible.

HVO100 easily usable in approved vehicles

The study has shown that HVO100 can be easily used in the tested diesel vehicles that are approved for it. The higher ignitability of paraffinic diesel positively manifested as slightly improved running smoothness during test drives on the road. The consumption and emission values were determined by experts on the test bench at the ADAC Technology Center in Landsberg am Lech in the ADAC Ecotest. This includes the WLTP cycle as well as a longer highway segment.

Improvement of the CO2 Balance

With HVO in the tank, consumption increases slightly by one to five percent, depending on the load demanded by the engine. This is due to the lower density of HVO100 compared to mineral diesel. Direct CO2 emissions at the exhaust, however, decrease by two to five percent in HVO100 operation.

Including the manufacturing process of HVO100, the CO2 balance improves by up to 90 percent compared to mineral diesel, as the CO2 is previously extracted from the atmosphere through the biomass used in the production of the paraffinic diesel fuel. The remaining CO2 emissions when using HVO100 depend on the raw materials, the energy used in the refinery, and the fuel transport.

Pollutant Values Well Below Legal Limits

The particulate emission (PN), nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx), and other pollutant values (including hydrocarbons HC and carbon monoxide CO) are at the level of B7 diesel and each significantly below the legal limits in HVO100 operation. For example, testers measured a NOx emission of 1.816 mg/km with HVO100 for the Mercedes. It was 2.376 mg/km with mineral diesel. The limit value for Euro-6 vehicles is 80 mg/km. Thus, in the ADAC Ecotest, the Mercedes emits only 2.27 (HVO100) or 2.97 percent of the permitted amount of NOx. The particulate emission with HVO100 was also below the B7 value (0.00275*1011/km) at 0.00203*1011 per kilometer and significantly below the limit of 6*1011 per kilometer.

Only in the case of the Skoda Superb Combi 2.0 TDI did the testers register slightly higher NOx and particulate emissions with HVO100 than with mineral diesel. The nitrogen oxide emission in the ADAC Ecotest is 3.832 mg/km, which is 4.79 percent of the permitted limit. With B7, 4.75 percent is reached (3.796 mg/km). The particulate emission is 0.16 percent of the limit with conventional diesel and 0.41 percent with HVO100.

Emissions in Test Vehicles Well Below Limits

Fundamentally, all emissions in the tested vehicles remain well below the limits in all cycles, even in the demanding highway cycle. Especially with new diesel vehicles that have elaborate exhaust aftertreatment, pollutant emissions are so low that the particular operating state of the catalysts rather than the fuel used makes the extremely small difference, according to the experts at the ADAC Technical Center.

The results of the ADAC test underline that HVO100 can be refueled without concerns in the vehicles approved for it. The automotive club therefore urges manufacturers to promptly, comprehensively, and especially retroactively approve their fleet for operation with paraffinic diesel, including older model series.

Potential in Mixing Mineral and Paraffinic Diesel Fuels

To make progress in climate protection in transportation, it is imperative not only to renew fleets with electric cars but also to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of existing vehicles by using climate-friendly fuels.

The mobility club also sees potential in mixing mineral and paraffinic diesel fuels. For a blend of up to 26 percent HVO with conventional diesel, no separate approval is required. The CO2 balance improves by up to 20 percent, however. More information on the subject is available at adac.de

Translated automatically from German.
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