Diesel fuels are not all the same. Each type has its own properties, advantages, and limitations. Below we compare three common types: Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), EN 590 diesel with FAME, and Red Diesel.
Composition: Made by hydrotreating vegetable oils and animal fats, creating a paraffinic hydrocarbon.
Cetane Number: Very high (70–90) → ensures smooth combustion and efficient engine performance.
Cold Flow Properties: Excellent; can be enhanced further with additives for extreme cold.
Stability: Very stable, no oxygenates → long shelf life.
Emissions: Significantly lower particulates, NOx, and CO than regular diesel.
Compatibility: Works in all existing diesel engines without modification.
Environmental Impact: Much lower lifecycle CO₂ emissions as it’s renewable.
Composition: Diesel containing up to 7% FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters).
Cetane Number: Moderate (40–55).
Cold Flow Properties: Variable, can be improved with additives.
Stability: Less stable than HVO due to oxygenates.
Emissions: Reduced CO₂ and particulates compared to fossil diesel.
Compatibility: Suitable for most modern diesel engines up to B7.
Environmental Impact: Lower than fossil diesel, thanks to the biodiesel content.
Composition: Same as standard diesel but dyed red for tax purposes.
Cetane Number: Similar to road diesel (40–55).
Cold Flow Properties: Standard; poor performance in extreme cold unless treated.
Stability: Varies depending on supplier quality.
Emissions: Comparable to regular diesel; sometimes higher if quality is lower.
Compatibility: Works in off-road diesel engines (agriculture, construction, etc.).
Environmental Impact: Higher than HVO or biodiesel blends.
HVO: Best overall – high performance, long shelf life, environmentally friendly, and engine-ready.
EN 590 with FAME: A greener step than pure fossil diesel, though less stable and not ideal in very cold climates.
Red Diesel: Cost-effective for off-road use, but environmentally worse and quality can vary.
The right choice depends on your priorities:
For environmental impact → HVO wins.
For general road use with some renewables → EN 590 with FAME works.
For off-road applications at lower cost → Red diesel is the standard.
