What is the Difference Between Diesel and HVO Fuel?
As businesses across the UK look for practical ways to reduce emissions without replacing existing equipment, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) has emerged as one of the most effective alternatives to conventional diesel.
But what exactly is HVO fuel, and how does it compare to standard diesel?
What is HVO fuel?
Crown HVO fuel is a 100% renewable diesel alternative made from sustainable waste-derived feedstocks, including used cooking oils, waste fats and agricultural residues. HVO stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, a premium-quality paraffinic diesel fuel that is completely free from FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester).
Unlike conventional biodiesel, HVO undergoes a hydrotreatment process that removes oxygen and impurities, creating a clean-burning fuel with excellent stability and performance characteristics.
Already widely adopted across Scandinavia and several European countries, HVO is helping organisations reduce greenhouse gas emissions without changing their existing diesel-powered vehicles, generators or machinery.
Benefits of HVO fuel
Businesses switching from conventional diesel to HVO can benefit from:
- Up to 90% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions
- Significantly lower levels of harmful exhaust emissions
- Improved air quality through reduced particulate matter and NOx emissions
- Excellent cold-weather performance down to -40°C
- Higher cetane number for cleaner, more efficient combustion
- Extended fuel storage life of up to 10 years
- Drop-in compatibility with most diesel engines and fuel systems
- No requirement for engine modifications or new infrastructure
To learn more about Crown HVO fuel, speak to our fuel specialists on 0330 123 1444 or visit our HVO Fuel FAQs page.
HVO fuel vs diesel: independent emissions testing
When Crown Oil first introduced HVO fuel to the UK market, we commissioned an independent emissions study to compare its environmental performance against conventional diesel.
Testing was conducted in December 2018 by Applied Emissions, an independent emissions testing specialist using Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS) protocols, widely regarded as among the most rigorous testing methodologies in the automotive and industrial sectors.
A 275kVA generator was operated on standard diesel fuel and then retested on Crown HVO fuel under identical operating conditions. Additional testing was carried out on a common rail diesel engine with adjustable injection timing to evaluate the impact on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
The objective was to determine whether HVO’s naturally high cetane number could improve combustion efficiency and provide opportunities for engine optimisation.
The video below shows the results of our experiment.
The results of our tests
Results: HVO vs Diesel Emissions
The testing demonstrated clear environmental advantages when using HVO fuel:
Reduced NOx emissions
Across the initial comparison tests, HVO delivered a 7.5% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions compared with conventional diesel.
While this reduction alone would not bring older generator equipment into Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) compliance, it highlights the immediate air-quality benefits achievable through a simple fuel switch.
Further testing showed that by optimising injection timing, NOx reductions of approximately 30% could be achieved.
Cleaner combustion
The study also recorded lower levels of:
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- Unburned hydrocarbons (HC)
The significant reduction in hydrocarbon emissions indicates more complete combustion within the engine cylinder. This is largely due to HVO’s highly refined molecular structure and consistent fuel quality.
Immediate environmental benefits
The results confirm that HVO provides an immediate and practical solution for organisations seeking to reduce emissions without investing in costly engine modifications or fleet replacement programmes.
By lowering harmful exhaust emissions while maintaining diesel-equivalent performance, HVO offers a straightforward pathway towards cleaner operations and supports wider UK decarbonisation objectives.
HVO vs diesel: key differences at a glance
| Feature | Crown HVO Fuel | Conventional Diesel |
| Source | Renewable waste oils, residues and fats | Crude oil |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions | Baseline |
| NOx & Particulates | Significantly reduced | Higher emissions |
| Engine Compatibility | Drop-in replacement for most diesel engines | Standard |
| Cetane Number | Typically above 70 | Typically around 51 |
| Cold Weather Performance | Operates down to -40°C | Risk of waxing and gelling |
| Storage Stability | Up to 10 years | Typically 1-2 years |
| Microbial Growth Risk | Extremely low | Higher risk during storage |
| Infrastructure Requirements | Uses existing diesel tanks and equipment | Existing infrastructure |
| Environmental Impact | Renewable, sustainable fuel | Fossil fuel dependent |
Which fuel is right for your business?
Conventional diesel
Conventional diesel remains suitable for organisations focused primarily on minimising short-term fuel costs where sustainability targets are not a key consideration.
HVO fuel
HVO is ideal for businesses looking to reduce emissions immediately while maintaining operational continuity. It is particularly well suited to:
- Transport and logistics fleets
- Construction equipment
- Agricultural machinery
- Marine operators
- Rail applications
- Backup generators and critical power systems
Because HVO is a drop-in replacement, organisations can reduce their net carbon footprint without purchasing new vehicles, modifying engines or investing in additional fuel infrastructure. Call our fuel experts today on 0330 123 1444 to learn more.
