The HVO100 biofuel is compatible with most modern diesel engines and significantly reduces CO2 emissions.
ORLEN Unipetrol Group announced on September 25 that it is expanding the sale of its low-emission, fully synthetic fuel, HVO100 Diesel, to additional filling stations in the Czech Republic. This initiative, which follows a successful pilot project, is a crucial part of the company's broader strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and meet its ambitious environmental targets.
The rollout of HVO100 Diesel is a direct response to the growing demand for cleaner fuel alternatives. After a pilot launch at a station in Rokycany in October 2024, the company is now making the fuel available at other key locations. The ORLEN outlet on the motorway bypass of Cheb has already begun offering the fuel, and by September and October, three more stations will join the network: the ORLEN filling station in Argentinská Street in Prague and sites on the D5 and D8 motorways in Drahelcice and Sirejovice, respectively. By the beginning of 2026, ORLEN aims to have HVO100 Diesel available at approximately ten selected stations strategically located along major transit routes throughout the country.
This expansion is a tangible step toward achieving ORLEN's strategic goal of cutting CO2 emissions by 25% by 2030 (compared to 2019 levels) and becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz, a member of the Board of Directors of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group, highlighted the importance of this move. "In addition to building the e-mobility infrastructure, we are about to start selling advanced biofuels at ORLEN filling stations that enable our customers to significantly reduce their carbon footprint," she stated.
HVO100, which stands for hydrotreated vegetable oil, is a modern alternative fuel produced entirely from renewable raw materials, including used cooking oil, animal fat, and waste from the food industry. Its high chemical purity and cetane number of over 70 ensure improved combustion, leading to reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides and solid particles, quieter engine operation, and better cold starts. Crucially, this fuel is compatible with the majority of modern diesel engines without requiring any technical modifications, making it an accessible and practical choice for a wide range of vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, and buses.
The environmental benefits of HVO100 are substantial. It has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90-95% compared to conventional diesel throughout its entire lifecycle—from production to consumption. The fuel meets the stringent requirements of the CSN EN 15940 standard and the EU directive on market fuel quality, affirming its reliability and ecological credentials. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group has also successfully tested its application in rail transport in cooperation with Czech Railways.
