Esso's new fuel offers farmers a better route to lower emissions

Our Fuels & Lubricants team is testing the market for fuels that will help customers cut their carbon footprint while minimising some of the operational issues that have occasionally been associated with biofuels.

Earlier this year, our commercial sales team launched a new fuel for the agricultural sector called Esso HVO30, which contains 70 percent Esso Synergy diesel and 30 percent biofuels, and offers the potential to reduce the emissions from farm machinery by 18 percent compared with machinery powered by conventional fuel*.

HVO is a renewable diesel that is made by hydro-treating vegetable and animal oils and fats. One of its key benefits is that it does not contain oxygen, so it is not prone to the kind of oxidation issues associated with some biofuels that can lead to fuel contamination and condensation in fuel tanks.

Our commercial team has spotted a market opportunity for Esso HVO30. The fuel helps avoid the above operational issues and supports farmers in their ambition to lower carbon emissions.  The first sale was made earlier this year in Scotland via third party reseller North West Farmer (NWF).

Helen Curtis, UK and Norway marketing manager, Retail Marketing, EAME said: “Esso HVO30 has potential application beyond the agricultural sector and other resellers are now showing strong interest.  Its introduction is an exciting example of competitive intensity in action, as Esso brings another branded product to market ahead of our competition.   It is also just another step along the journey we are making to expand our product portfolio.”

* CO2 emissions savings are on a well-to-wheels basis.  Expected CO2 savings of 18.96% for Esso HVO30 containing 30% HVO compared to conventional diesel containing up to 7% fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). Calculation is based on methodology outlined in EU Directive (EU) 2009/28 and includes contributions from N2O and CH4, expressed in CO2 equivalents.