German government plans to approve sale of 100% synthetic fuels at retail stations

Renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer Neste Corp. welcomed the German government’s plan March 2 to approve the sales of 100 percent synthetic fuels at fuel stations.

So far, the sales of synthetic fuels such as e-fuels and renewable diesel, also known as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), in Germany have been largely limited to fuel blends in which these fuels have represented about 26 percent maximum.

The sale of unblended 100 percent renewable diesel has previously only been allowed in specific segments, such as in nonroad vehicles and public transportation.

The planned approval by the government would in the near future allow 100 percent renewable diesel to be sold and used unblended in all segments in Germany.

“We are very pleased that the German government plans to approve synthetic fuels, allowing 100 percent renewable diesel to be sold at all fuel stations,” said Peter Zonneveld, Neste’s vice president of sales in the European and Asia-Pacific regions. “This means that in the near future, also privately operated vehicle fleets and consumers will be able to use this product and instantly reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. This is a significant step in the fight against climate change. It is now necessary to legally implement the decision as quickly as possible.”

Neste MY Renewable Diesel™, made from 100 percent renewable raw materials, can reduce GHG emissions by as much as 75 percent to 95 percent over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to fossil diesel.

It is fully compatible with all diesel engines and the existing fuel-distribution infrastructure.

Thanks to the Clean Vehicle Directive, Neste has already been selling its renewable diesel to municipalities and public-transportation companies, while the fuel has also been available for use in nonroad applications in Germany, such as in agriculture, construction, trains and in the marine sector.

Renewable diesel has similar chemical composition to fossil diesel, making it a drop-in replacement. It can be used unblended without the need for any changes in the diesel-powered vehicles or their engines.

The use of 100 percent renewable diesel is widely approved by vehicle and engine manufacturers.