Hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) is considered a pure form with a reduction in CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent as an extremely effective "sustainable" fuel and is practically suitable for all diesel engines. Since the federal government allowed the public sale in Germany at the end of May last year, the fuel offering at gas stations for UTA customers has been quickly supplemented with this biofuel made from agricultural waste.
As one of the largest providers of mobility-related services in Europe, UTA Edenred was able to make the alternative fuel, which in its pure form (HVO100) completely replaces diesel fuel, accessible for its customers at over 1,000 stations in 14 European countries by July 2024. Of these, 63 offered the biofuel in its pure form in Germany. Now, the company from Lower Franconia reports a total of 1,800 gas stations in 15 countries offering the full-fledged diesel substitute for UTA customers in open sale. In Germany, the number is now around 100.
In other regions of the European Union, the biofuel has been sold at public gas stations for years. The approval by the federal government in May 2024 and the urgency for transport companies to optimize their CO2 balance increasingly boosts the availability of the diesel substitute now also in Germany. Gas stations that carry HVO100 and accept UTA fuel cards are located in the following European countries:
Countries with UTA acceptance
In the German-speaking region, the biofuel is available with a UTA fuel card at gas stations in Germany and Austria. In the northwest, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Ireland are included. The northern area is covered with Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden and in the northeast it includes Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Closer to Germany lies the Czech Republic. In Southern Europe, the provider mentions Italy and Spain where UTA acceptance points with HVO100 can be found.
The company has developed the free UTA Edenred "Drive App" for displaying UTA stations on the go, which can be customized according to specific search criteria, provides a range of additional information such as prices, fuel type and brand, and also works offline.
European countries without UTA acceptance for HVO100
Not included in the list of UTA acceptance points in the EU are, for example, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, France, and almost the entire eastern and southeastern European region; neither do Switzerland and the United Kingdom, which do not belong to the European Union community, accept UTA fuel cards.
Environmentally friendly mobility
With the expansion of the UTA acceptance points with HVO100, the company, whose fuel card, according to its own statements, serves as a gateway to a total of around 88,000 stations worldwide in 40 countries, aims to support environmentally friendly mobility. Lukas Schneider, Commercial Director EMEA at UTA Edenred, says:
"We not only make mobility for our customers in Germany and all of Europe simple, but we also support them in the transformation to sustainable, environmentally friendly mobility."
Good in cold weather
Hydrogenated vegetable oil HVO is based on raw materials from plant and animal waste, i.e., industrial and agricultural fat and oil residues. Through chemical hydrogenation, a substance is created that is almost equivalent to the chemical properties of fossil diesel, which can be blended with conventional diesel in different concentrations. As a rationale for the more environmentally friendly "behavior" of the fuel, UTA explains:
"The cetane number, which indicates the ignition quality of diesel fuels, is higher in HVO than in fossil diesel. This means HVO ignites and burns faster and cleaner, promoting engine performance, reducing fuel consumption, and lowering emissions. Additionally, HVO is characterized by good cold-start properties and is particularly suitable for use in cold temperatures."
When HVO is used in its pure form, that is, not as a diesel blend but as a complete diesel replacement HVO100, a reduction in CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent is possible compared to conventional, fossil diesel, provided the entire life cycle from production onwards is considered. The report states:
"With these properties, the use of HVO100 in fleets with combustion engines enables a significant improvement in the environmental balance."
For the use of HVO100 in vehicles with diesel engines, no technical conversion is generally necessary. However, it is recommended to ensure whether the vehicle manufacturers have officially approved the material. Some mobility companies, as reported, use the fuel for freight transport or for passenger transport in their operations. Also, heavy-duty trucks generally have HVO approval.
UTA Edenred fuel cards for commercial customers with vehicle fleets of all sizes are accepted at around 88,000 locations in 40 countries worldwide. Both conventional and alternative fuels can be obtained independently of brands and cash-free. The existing charging network for electric and hybrid vehicles is continuously being expanded. Toll solutions are also offered in 27 European countries. Services also include workshop services, vehicle cleaning, or breakdown assistance.
Another business area of the mobility service provider based near Aschaffenburg includes various software solutions such as fleet management or telematics. UTA (Union Tank) was founded in 1963 by Heinrich Eckstein and today belongs to the French provider of digital payment services, the Edenred Group.
