More and more operators are turning to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) according to DAF.
DAF first launched an HVO compatible truck in 2018 and it’s entire range is now capable of using the biofuel, prompting many customers to turn to the fuel in order to reduce their emissions.
HVO enables a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 90% from ‘well-to-wheel’, compared with regular diesel. It is also a true ‘drop-in’ fuel that can be used in trucks without any modifications. DAF says that fleets are switching to HVO as a way of reducing their carbon footprint and moving away from fossil fuels in their existing diesel-engine trucks.
“HVO can successfully complement the introduction of zero emission electric vehicles into a fleet by allowing a swift transition to renewables for fuelling existing vehicles,” said Adam Bennett, EV and sustainability manager for DAF Trucks UK.
“In the battle to minimise global warming, the earliest interventions would be the most desirable course of action,” he added.
Patrick Dean, chief engineer at DAF Trucks and member of the Board of Management added: “In 2018 we were the first to launch a fully electric truck and last year we presented a completely new generation of electric trucks with ‘zero-emission’ ranges of up to 500 kilometres. HVO is enabling us to make a giant leap in the reduction of CO2 emissions, already today, with the current trucks on the market and more importantly ‘well-to-wheel’. When it comes to CO2 certification of trucks, it would be a huge step forward if European legislation would value the contribution of clean fuels to reduce CO2 emissions, as we cannot afford to leave opportunities unused to achieve sustainable road transport. This should expand focus on the total chain – from energy source up to what’s coming out of the exhaust – instead of focusing on ‘tank-to-wheel’ only.”
