A route to lower carbon operations with Shell Renewable Diesel
Shell has outlined the benefits of its Shell Renewable Diesel (HVO100), which it has launched across seven sites in the UK.
Organisations are under increasing pressure from customers, shareholders, and regulators to decarbonise their fleets and report on ESG performance, says the company – yet fleet decarbonisation remains both costly and complex, while electrification can present considerations around infrastructure, vehicle costs and charging downtime.
As a result, many fleet operators are looking for practical solutions that can be implemented today, without disrupting operations.
Shell Renewable Diesel (HVO100) is designed for use in existing diesel engine fleets when switching from diesel, based on Shell’s operability studies and market experience to date, and is said to help support sustainable fleet operations. The vehicle handbook and/or label at the fuel tank socket must be checked for OEM approval, the company advises, and the fuel is not applicable for passenger cars.
Shell Renewable Diesel, sometimes referred to as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) in the market, is a low-carbon alternative to conventional diesel that can help power fleets while supporting decarbonisation goals.
The fuel is said to offer between 65 and 90 per cent less CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent – CO2, CH4 and N2O) emissions compared to the UK’s 2025 RTFO & SAF Mandate Technical Guidance fossil fuel comparator (FFC) carbon intensity of 94 gCO2e/MJ on a lifecycle basis. The FFC used may not reflect the specific fuel type utilised by the customer (e.g., B7 or other bio-blended market representative diesel). Therefore, the actual CO2e emissions savings may differ. Product life cycle CO2e emissions are associated with the production and use of a specific product, from well to wheel, including emissions from feedstock production and collection, processing, storage, transport, distribution and combustion.
European consumption figures for renewable diesel also indicate strong growth between 2024 and 2026, supported by increasing production capacity. Alongside these trends, low‑carbon fuels such as HVO offer operational advantages for fleets looking to decarbonise without disruption. Shell Renewable Diesel (HVO100) is compatible with existing diesel infrastructure and engines, which means it can be used as a drop-in alternative, with no new vehicles or modifications needed.
This can allow for seamless integration into current operations, explains Shell, minimising downtime and helping to ensure uninterrupted fleet performance, along with helping to improve vehicle driveability by keeping particle filters cleaner for longer (based on Shell proprietary methods, for vehicles of all ages that are equipped with a DPF, compared to EN590 B7 diesel). Actual effects and benefits may vary according to vehicle type, vehicle condition and driving style.
In addition to these operational benefits, Shell Renewable Diesel is made from renewable waste and residue feedstocks (compliant with the latest version of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme).
Seven Shell UK sites now offer Shell Renewable Diesel (HVO100): three in Northallerton, North Yorkshire; two in Hartlepool, Cleveland; and one in Castleford, West Yorkshire and West Bromwich. While the European network continues to expand, Shell is also focused on growing availability across the UK in line with increasing customer demand for lower‑carbon fuels.
Fleet operators looking to explore how Shell Renewable Diesel (HVO100) could support their decarbonisation strategies can contact Shell Fleet Solutions to explore how it could fit into their operations.
Shell Renewable Diesel | HVO for heavy-duty fleets | Business
