In the quest for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) has emerged as a promising solution. HVO fuel, derived from renewable sources, is gaining popularity due to its numerous sustainability benefits. Despite it being initially more expensive, HVO’s performance and green credentials make it the best (and perhaps the only) choice for businesses wanting to make positive change for the planet. Bovey Castle has made the move to HVO in all it’s on-site vehicles. This blog will tell you a little bit more about why…

What is HVO Fuel?

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a renewable diesel alternative produced from various vegetable oils, such as rapeseed, palm, and soybean oil. Through a process called hydrogenation, the oil molecules are refined, removing impurities and enhancing the fuel’s properties. HVO fuel shares similar characteristics with fossil diesel, making it a direct substitute that can be used in existing diesel engines without any modifications.

Reducing Carbon Emissions

One of the most obvious and important advantages of HVO fuel is its ability to significantly reduce carbon emissions. When compared to conventional diesel fuel, HVO can achieve up to 90% less greenhouse gas emissions. We will leave the science to the experts, but HVO fuel essentially recycles carbon dioxide previously absorbed by plants during their growth, creating a ‘closed-loop carbon cycle’. This reduction in carbon emissions helps combat climate change and improves air quality, making running our vehicles on HVO fuel cleaner and greener than using standard diesel.

Vehicle Performance Improvements

Outside of its sustainability benefits, HVO fuel also offers several perks in terms of engine performance. Due to its high cetane number and superior combustion properties, HVO fuel provides better engine efficiency, resulting in increased power and torque. Moreover, HVO fuel is fully compatible with existing diesel engines, making it a viable option for businesses who wish to reduce their carbon footprint without investing in new vehicles or equipment.

Wide Range of Applications

The versatility of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil fuel means it can be applied across numerous business sectors, including within hospitality. It can be used for transport, off-road vehicles, construction machinery, and even stationary power generators. As we operate a number of 4×4 vehicles for our estate tours and off road driving experiences, as well as various other machinery and equipment across the golf and grounds maintenance departments, introducing HVO has proven to be a worthwhile endeavour with substantial improvement to the overall sustainability of our day-to-day operation.

Another step in the right direction for sustainability

HVO fuel presents a compelling case as a sustainable alternative to traditional diesel. Its ability to reduce carbon emissions, improve engine performance, and that we will be repurposing waste oil that would otherwise be disposed of, is what has made it an attractive option for Bovey Castle, allowing us to literally drive forward a greener future. Embracing this alternative fuel will help contribute significantly to achieving our sustainability goals and reducing the environmental impact of our vehicles.