BMW: HVO100 for our diesels, the potential of renewable fuels in Europe

Photos: BMW Group

BMW Group said in July that its openness to different technologies is a top priority for the automaker.

As well as offering a wide range of drive technologies, BMW said its goal is to reduce CO2e emissions across the board—and nonfossil fuels have the potential to help make that happen.

Clear signal for renewable fuels

Since January 2025, the BMW Group has used 100 percent hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO100), also known as renewable diesel, for the initial filling of diesels manufactured in Germany.

HVO100 has the potential to reduce CO2e emissions by around 90 percent compared with fossil-based diesel.

To increase the availability of renewable—or carbon-neutral (CNF)—fuels, the BMW Group is advocating for ambitious greenhouse-gas reduction targets for road transport to be included in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED IV) as part of its ongoing revision.

This will require a long-term pathway to be defined that aligns with the EU’s overall targets of a 90 percent reduction by 2040 and 100 percent by 2050.

How Europe can become less dependent on fossil fuels

HVO100 is an important step, but according to a recent study, far more is possible.

In the long term, Europe could cover all its road-transport fuel needs using renewable feedstocks readily available in the region.

In a high-case scenario, it could even achieve full supply as early as 2040.

Particularly compelling is the fact that this study also clearly shows that the resource base is broader than often assumed.

Potential sources include not only used cooking oils (which account for only a small share of feedstock) but also residues from agriculture and forestry, straw, byproducts from the food industry, and cover and catch crops.

Together, these diverse inputs can create a large and resilient system.

For customers, the benefits are clear, as renewable fuels can be used for much more than just new vehicles.

They can also help improve the carbon footprint of the existing vehicle fleet while reducing Europe’s dependency on fossil-fuel imports.

HVO100 supports climate protection and fuel security—together.

Already over 8,300 HVO100 filling stations in Europe

Paraffinic diesel HVO—while already available in several other EU member states for several years—has been approved for sale at German filling stations since the end of May 2024.

It is obtained from various wastes, residues and renewable raw materials, such as used cooking oils.

It meets high quality and sustainability standards.

Palm oil is not used during production in Europe, nor does the product consist of conventional biodiesel.

Compared with fossil-based diesel, HVO100 is a higher-quality product and offers a host of technical advantages.

As well as emitting less CO2, its chemical properties offer better cold start behavior.

It is also resistant to microbial contamination (“diesel plague”) because of its purity. 

BMW diesels compatible since 2015 

BMW Group diesel engines produced since March 2015 and in specific series and models are approved for the new fuel in accordance with the European fuel standard EN 15940.

Customers can find detailed information here.

Successful testing in plant logistics too

Since March 2023, HVO100 has also been used in trucks deployed in BMW Group plant logistics.

Four HVO 100-powered trucks operated by the logistics service provider Guggemos (GV Trucknet) are in operation on the motorway between Landau an der Isar and BMW Group Plant Munich.

They drive the route several times a day, supplying parts from Landau to the home plant in Munich on a just-in-time basis.

More recently, another six trucks have joined the HVO100 fleet, this time belonging to DB Schenker.

Shuttling between the BMW Group supply center in Eching and Plant Munich, they deliver parts for production, covering around 40 kilometers per round trip.