The renewable diesel changing how we fuel transport

July 27, 2026

  
When we talk about renewable diesel, we're often talking about HVO100. HVO100 is a hydrotreated fuel made from raw materials such as waste animal fats from the food industry, used cooking oil, fish-processing residues, and other eligible waste or residue feedstocks.
  
It is compatible with many existing diesel engines and much of the established diesel-fuel infrastructure. This means that approved vehicles previously running on fossil diesel may be able to switch to HVO100 without engine modification.
  
For businesses and fleet operators researching renewable-fuel suppliers, EcoHubMap is a useful place to start. It is a global sustainability directory listing green businesses, renewable-energy producers, and biofuel suppliers across more than 200 countries, including a dedicated renewable energy companies directory.

  
What HVO100 Actually Is
  
HVO stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil. Unlike older biodiesel, commonly known as FAME, which is produced through transesterification and may have cold-weather or storage-stability limitations, HVO is produced by hydrotreating oils and fats.
  
During this process, oxygen is removed and hydrogen is added, producing a paraffinic fuel with properties similar to conventional diesel. The “100” in HVO100 means that the fuel is used in its pure form rather than blended with mineral diesel.
  
Learn more from Neste’s explanation of HVO.

  
Why HVO100 Is Called a Drop-In Fuel
  
HVO100 is commonly described as a “drop-in” fuel because it can be used in many approved diesel engines without conversion. In many cases, the same pumps, storage tanks, and distribution infrastructure can also be used.
  
Trucks, construction equipment, generators, and passenger vehicles that already operate on diesel may therefore be able to use HVO100 directly, subject to the vehicle or equipment manufacturer’s approval.
  
More information is available in Repsol’s HVO overview.

  
Where the Raw Materials Come From
  
HVO100 can be produced from a range of oils, fats, waste products, and residue streams. The exact feedstock depends on the producer, supply chain, certification system, and local regulations.

  
Common HVO Feedstocks
  
Common HVO feedstocks include used cooking oil collected from restaurants and food processors, animal-fat waste from food and meat-processing industries, fish-processing fats and residues, agricultural residues, forestry residues, and other eligible waste oils and fats.
  
Waste- and residue-based feedstocks can reduce reliance on crops grown specifically for fuel. However, the environmental performance of HVO100 depends heavily on the origin of the feedstock, traceability, production methods, transportation, and certification.

  
Sustainability Certification
  
In the European Union, renewable fuels may be assessed under the sustainability and greenhouse-gas-saving criteria established by the Renewable Energy Directive. Certification can help verify feedstock origin, traceability, and lifecycle-emissions performance.

  
The Emissions Case
  
HVO100 can deliver substantial lifecycle greenhouse-gas reductions compared with fossil diesel. The actual reduction varies according to the feedstock, production process, energy source, transportation distance, and calculation methodology.
  
Some suppliers report lifecycle greenhouse-gas savings of up to 90%, while certain waste-based pathways may achieve higher reported reductions.
  
See the analysis published by Biofuel Express.

  
Lifecycle Emissions Versus Tailpipe Emissions
  
HVO100 still releases carbon dioxide when it is burned. Its climate benefit is assessed mainly on a lifecycle basis, taking into account the renewable or waste-derived origin of the feedstock and the emissions associated with collecting, processing, transporting, and distributing the fuel.
  
For this reason, HVO100 should not be described as producing no carbon dioxide at the exhaust. A more accurate statement is that certified HVO100 may produce substantially lower lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions than fossil diesel.

  
Local Air-Pollutant Emissions
  
HVO100 generally contains very little sulphur and fewer aromatic compounds than conventional fossil diesel. Depending on the engine, operating conditions, and after-treatment system, it may reduce emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and certain other local air pollutants.
  
Nitrogen-oxide emissions can vary, so NOx reductions should not be assumed in every vehicle or operating condition.
  
Additional information is available from Moeve’s guide to renewable diesel and HVO100.

  
Why Drop-In Compatibility Matters
  
One of HVO100’s main practical advantages is that it can reduce lifecycle emissions without requiring every fleet operator to replace existing diesel vehicles immediately.
  
Electrification of heavy trucks, construction equipment, marine transport, agricultural machinery, and backup generators is progressing, but it is not yet practical in every location or application. HVO100 can therefore serve as a transitional option for organizations seeking to lower the emissions associated with existing diesel-powered equipment.

  
Potential Applications
  
Potential applications include heavy-duty road freight, urban delivery fleets, construction machinery, agricultural equipment, backup power generators, municipal and public-service vehicles, and selected marine and industrial uses.

  
Limitations of HVO100
  
HVO100 is not available in every market and is often more expensive than conventional diesel. Its adoption can depend on feedstock availability, production capacity, taxation, blending requirements, government incentives, and local distribution infrastructure.

  
Vehicle Approval
  
Although HVO100 is compatible with many diesel engines, operators should confirm approval with the vehicle, engine, or equipment manufacturer before use. Compatibility may differ by model, year, warranty conditions, and emissions-control system.

  
Feedstock Quality and Traceability
  
Not all HVO products have the same environmental impact. Buyers should ask suppliers about feedstock origin, certification, lifecycle-emissions calculations, chain of custody, and whether the product contains palm-derived materials or other feedstocks associated with land-use concerns.

  
The Bottom Line
  
HVO100 will not replace the long-term transition toward electrification and other zero-emission technologies. However, it can be a practical lower-carbon alternative for many existing diesel fleets.
  
When produced from verified waste and residue feedstocks, HVO100 may achieve substantial lifecycle greenhouse-gas reductions while using much of the infrastructure already available for diesel fuel.
  
Its real environmental value depends on responsible feedstock sourcing, credible certification, transparent emissions accounting, and confirmed compatibility with the engine in which it is used.