If you work in UK transport, fleet management, agriculture, or energy procurement, the term HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) has probably been buzzing in boardrooms and fuel tanks. But how does HVO stack up against other biofuels — especially conventional biodiesel (FAME), renewable diesel, and emerging advanced biofuels? This guide, written from the standpoint of a seasoned content professional who knows technical audiences, cuts through marketing and gives you clear, actionable comparisons focused on the UK context: performance, compatibility, emissions, feedstock considerations, and practical procurement decisions.
What HVO actually is (plain English)
HVO is a drop-in, paraffinic diesel substitute produced by hydrotreating fats and vegetable oils. The process removes oxygen and saturates molecules, producing chemically stable hydrocarbons that closely resemble fossil diesel. The result: a clean-burning liquid that can often be used with minimal or no engine modification, depending on blend and application.
Contrast that with conventional biodiesel (FAME — Fatty Acid Methyl Ester), which is produced by transesterifying fats/oils and retains oxygenated molecules. FAME interacts differently with materials and combustion systems.
Key technical differences
1. Chemical structure & stability
- HVO / renewable diesel: Paraffinic hydrocarbons (no oxygen). Stable, long shelf life, resistant to oxidation.
- FAME (biodiesel): Oxygenated esters. More hygroscopic (absorbs water), chemically less stable over long storage, and can contribute to deposits if blended or stored improperly.
2. Engine compatibility
- HVO: Often compatible with existing diesel engines across trucks, buses, construction equipment, and off-road machinery as a high-percentage blend — in many cases up to 100% — because it behaves like fossil diesel. Cold flow and additive requirements are generally simpler.
- FAME: Typically used as low-percentage blends (e.g., up to 7–10% in many markets) in standard engines. Higher blends can require material compatibility checks (fuel lines, seals, elastomers) and possible fuel system retrofits.
3. Cold-weather performance
UK winters can be wet and chilly. HVO, being paraffinic, tends to have predictable cold flow characteristics and can be formulated with standard cold-flow improving additives. FAME can show higher viscosity and a greater tendency to gel in colder temperatures; winter-grade handling and blending become more important.
4. Energy density & fuel efficiency
HVO and renewable diesel usually have slightly higher volumetric energy density than FAME, and performance is generally closer to fossil diesel. That typically means comparable or marginally improved fuel economy compared with FAME blends.
Emissions and lifecycle impacts
Both HVO and other biofuels reduce greenhouse-gas emissions compared with fossil diesel — but the scale and credibility of the savings depend on feedstock, production pathway, and lifecycle accounting.
- HVO from waste fats and residues (used cooking oil, animal fats) often delivers robust emissions benefits because it diverts waste and avoids land-use change.
- HVO made from virgin vegetable oils can be less favourable if feedstock cultivation leads to land conversion or indirect emissions.
- FAME also ranges widely: waste-based FAME gives meaningful reductions; virgin oil-based FAME can suffer similar lifecycle issues.
For UK fleet planners, the essential takeaway: ask suppliers for lifecycle carbon intensity data and prefer waste- or residue-based feedstocks if your aim is real-world carbon reductions.
Fuel standards, quality control & supply chain
One of HVO’s practical advantages is consistency. Because it’s hydrotreated, HVO meets tight quality specs and has low sulphur, low aromatics, and near-zero oxygen content. That reduces deposit formation and extends maintenance intervals in many applications.
FAME requires stricter quality control on storage and blending: water content, acid value, and cold-filter plugging point (CFPP) require monitoring. In large depots or mixed-fleet contexts, that’s an operational overhead.
From a UK procurement angle:
- Seek suppliers that can provide supply guarantees, batch certificates, and evidence of sustainable feedstocks.
- Consider storage compatibility (tank materials, filters) and staff training on handling and segregation to avoid costly contamination.
Cost & availability in the UK market
HVO typically commands a price premium over fossil diesel and many FAME blends because of higher processing costs and, historically, limited production capacity. However, as global and European production scales, prices have been trending more competitive — especially when factoring in potential carbon credit/value or regulatory incentives.
Availability can vary regionally: HVO supply in the UK is growing but may still be limited in some remote depots or off-highway sectors. That means planning deliveries and supply chain logistics is essential for fleets that wish to adopt high HVO blends or neat HVO.
Practical guidance for UK fleet operators and specifiers
- Audit your fleet: Identify vehicles and equipment where high-percentage HVO can be used without warranty or emissions-system impacts. Heavy-duty diesels and many off-road machines are often good candidates.
- Start with trials: Pilot a subset of vehicles for 3–6 months to observe fuel filter life, fuel economy, and maintenance impacts.
- Prioritise waste-based feedstocks: When the sustainability claim matters, require proof that the HVO is from residues or waste oils.
- Check warranties and OEM guidance: Most modern OEMs provide guidance around paraffinic fuels — get written confirmation where possible.
- Plan for storage & cold weather: Even with HVO, ensure CFPP and additive regimes are appropriate for UK winter operations.
- Consider blended strategies: Where HVO supply is limited or cost-prohibitive, combining lower-cost FAME blends for secondary assets and HVO for high-utilisation vehicles can maximise carbon impact per pound spent.
Emerging considerations: advanced biofuels & synthetic fuels
Beyond HVO and FAME, a new generation of advanced biofuels and e-fuels (power-to-liquid hydrocarbons) are entering the conversation. These pathways promise low-carbon intensity without competing for agricultural land — but they are still scaling up. For UK stakeholders, keeping an eye on these options makes sense, because policy incentives and cost parity could shift procurement strategies in the next 5–10 years.
Final takeaway
For UK users focused on decarbonisation with minimal operational disruption, HVO is a highly attractive option: engine-friendly, stable, and often delivering strong emissions benefits when sourced from waste feedstocks. Conventional biodiesel (FAME) remains useful — especially where cost and immediate availability matter — but it brings storage and compatibility trade-offs.
Choosing the right route means balancing supply availability, verified lifecycle emissions, cost, and operational practicality. Start with pilots, demand supplier transparency on feedstocks, and align your fuel strategy to both near-term emissions targets and longer-term fleet electrification plans.
