Things to consider before purchasing HVO fuel
When looking for an HVO fuel supplier, there are a number of factors that you need to consider. From how the HVO is sourced to the quality of the product or the reputation of the brand, it’s important to use an HVO distributor that you can trust to be transparent in their sustainability claims, whilst providing a reliable HVO supply.
Six questions to ask before choosing an HVO fuel supplier
As organisations place greater focus on their environmental responsibilities and search for practical ways to help reduce their carbon emissions, many industries that have depended on diesel for decades are now turning to renewable fuels such as biodiesel and HVO. This shift has led fuel suppliers of all sizes across the UK to expand or transition their operations to include HVO fuel.
However, the rapid growth in availability also means the quality and sustainability credentials can vary between suppliers. To ensure you’re getting a reliable, high-quality fuel product, there are several important considerations to think about before placing an order with any HVO fuel supplier.
1. Is the HVO fuel they are selling 100% unblended HVO?
To reduce their price per litre, some suppliers blend HVO with FAME fuels or inferior blends of EN 15940-compliant fuels. This significantly reduces the sustainability benefits of the fuel and detrimentally affects the performance and storage lifespan of the fuel. Some suppliers also masquerade EN 15940 fuel as HVO when the fuel has actually been produced using fossil feedstocks.
2. Is the product certified by the ISCC or another voluntary scheme?
The Department for Transport require (as a part of the renewable transport fuel obligation) that all renewable fuels entering the UK are certified by an independent voluntary assurance scheme, of which ISCC is the largest and most commonly used. ISCC-certified HVO ensures traceability and renewability through the supply chain, allowing you to know exactly how the fuel is sourced, refined and distributed. Unverified HVO may be derived from unsustainable feed stocks such as palm oil or POME.
Nationwide Fuels does not support the use or sale of palm oil-derived HVO.
3. Are they an approved HVO supplier under Zemo’s Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS)?
If a supplier is not approved under RFAS, it means the sustainability claims of the HVO from that supplier are not verified by Zemo, and the supply chain throughout the UK network cannot be verified.
4. Can they provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for each batch?
Suppliers that cannot provide the necessary certification may be supplying HVO from unsustainable feedstocks.
5. Does the fuel meet EN 15940 specifications?
The EN 15940 specification outlines the physical and chemical requirements for paraffinic diesel fuels. Suppliers that cannot provide HVO technical specifications meeting EN 15940 may be cutting corners and supplying a poor product.
6. What steps is the supplier taking to improve its environmental, social and governance (ESG)?
Suppliers that are taking steps to improve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) are more likely to source their HVO sustainably. Working with a supplier that adopts climate-friendly initiatives may also help you reduce your scope 3 emissions.
Why does due diligence matter when choosing an HVO supplier?
Due to HVO’s increase in demand, new suppliers have entered the market, many of whom are not approved under the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS). Purchasing HVO from an RFAS-accredited HVO supplier is the best way to ensure and verify the fuel’s quality and environmental benefits. That’s why it’s important that you carry out due diligence before placing an order.
Failing to carry out appropriate due diligence may have many negative implications for your business, including:
- Greenwashing claims – as the advertised carbon savings may not exist
- Reputational damage – for being associated with a bad supplier
- Inaccurate carbon reporting – this will be outlined in your ESG audits
- Legal and compliance fines – due to your fuel not meeting UK or EU standards
- Damage to your fuel systems or engines – causing potential downtime and a financial hit to your business
- Long-term increase in costs – your HVO may not meet EN 15940 specifications, and may be adding to your maintenance costs
- Lower quality HVO – Using an EN 15940 fuel that has been produced from fossil feedstocks and masqueraded as HVO
To ensure that you’re not putting your organisation at risk, you can receive direct advice from our team of experts. Our HVO team are on hand to assist with all of your queries so that you know exactly what to look for with an HVO fuel supplier.
What is HVO and how can it benefit your organisation?
HVO fuel is a renewable and drop-in diesel replacement that requires no modifications to existing engines or fuel systems, whilst providing up to a 90% reduction in CO2. This and many other factors have encouraged many businesses in the UK to adopt the renewable diesel without needing to make significant upgrades to fuel infrastructure.
The benefits of HVO include:
- Up to 90% reduction in net CO2 emissions
- 100% renewable, biodegradable and sustainable
- Free from FAME, fossil content, sulphur and aromatics
- Exceptional cold weather performance (CFPP of up to -27°C)
- Fewer filter changes and lower maintenance costs
- Shelf life of up to 10 years
Why choose Nationwide Fuels for your HVO?
As one of the first UK fuel suppliers to bring HVO to the UK market, we’re trusted to handle the HVO needs of organisations across all sectors. We’re an approved supplier of HVO under RFAS, and our product is verified at import under the ISCC, providing full traceability and transparency to ensure that our product is produced sustainably.
- 24-48 hour nationwide HVO deliveries as standard (90% of our orders are delivered within 24 hours)
- 24/7 emergency HVO supplies 365 days a year
- Approved HVO supplier under RFAS
- ISCC verified sustainably sourced HVO
- Full certification with every batch of HVO to ensure performance
- Our HVO meets EN 15940 specifications
- Compliant with the Renewable Fuel Transport Obligation (RTFO) and all other relevant UK and EU standards
- Knowledgeable account managers and expert technical support
- Competitive HVO prices throughout the year
- Flexible credit terms to suit the budget and schedule of your business
- HVO deliveries from a carbon-neutral supplier (in line with ISO 14068)
- Work with a fuel supplier to continuously improve ESG
Whether you need a single barrel or a bulk quantity from 500 litres through to 36,000 litres or more delivered across the UK. We have the stock across our network of depots to meet your requirements. Call our fuel experts today on 0330 678 0880 to get started.