Four logistics trucks of BMW already run on plant-based diesel

Although the electrification is advancing at an unstoppable pace, there are also other fuels being tested until the time comes to say goodbye to combustion engines. Plant-based fuels are among the alternatives being used to avoid the emission of polluting gases, although only partially.

At present, BMW has contracted a logistics company Guggemos (GV Trucknet) to transport materials between its plants in Munich and Landau an der Isar. Among the trucks operating on that route there are four units that carry the label “Ich tanke HVO100, um CO2 -Emissionen zu senken”, which means: “I use HVO100 fuel to save CO2 emissions”.

This means that the engines of these trucks are designed to run on HVO100 fuel, a fuel made from kitchen waste, residues and renewable raw materials. In other words, it is a fuel based on used vegetable oils, such as used cooking oil.

By comparison, HVO100 emits 90% less CO2 than conventional diesel. This makes it far less polluting but, on the other hand, it has 3% higher consumption than traditional fuel. However, using this fuel, whose name means “hydrotreated vegetable oil“, will prevent the emission of 800 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.

This fuel can be used both in its pure form and blended with traditional diesel, in any proportion. The engines do not need any adaptation to use HVO100, which makes it very practical. In addition, it can be supplied through existing facilities, so there is no problem with its distribution either.

This fuel is being supplied by the company Neste. It is produced with NEXTBTL technology, which converts used vegetable oils into fuel through a catalytic reaction with hydrogen. It is not biodiesel, which has a different chemical composition and production system.