As the United Kingdom accelerates its journey toward net-zero emissions, alternative fuels are receiving more attention than ever before. Among these, HVO fuel—short for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil—has rapidly become one of the most promising drop-in replacements for traditional diesel. Its ability to dramatically reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, improve operational reliability, and integrate seamlessly into existing engines makes it especially attractive across transport, construction, farming, and backup power generation.

However, one question continues to shape discussions around HVO: What exactly defines its quality and performance?
This is where the EN15940 standard comes into play. Understanding both HVO specifications and EN15940 is essential for businesses and fleet operators who want reliable, compliant, and sustainable fuel options.

Below, we break down everything you need to know in a clear, practical, and UK-focused guide.

What Is HVO Fuel? A Quick Overview

HVO fuel is a renewable paraffinic diesel produced through a process called hydrotreatment, where feedstocks such as waste cooking oils, non-food crops, or animal fats are refined using hydrogen. This process removes oxygen and impurities, resulting in a clean-burning, high-performance diesel alternative.

For UK organisations, HVO is especially appealing because it:

• Can be used as a drop-in replacement for diesel in most modern engines

• Offers up to 90% lower net CO₂ emissions across its lifecycle

• Performs well in cold temperatures

• Stores for long periods without degrading

• Eliminates many of the problems associated with biodiesel (such as microbial growth)

With reliability increasingly important across the UK’s logistics, data centre, and agricultural sectors, HVO provides a practical bridge between current diesel use and future green technologies.

Why Standards Matter: The Role of EN15940

The EN15940 standard is the European fuel specification that defines the requirements for paraffinic diesel fuels, including HVO. Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, EN standards continue to be widely adopted across British industries because they provide consistency, safety, and compatibility assurance.

EN15940 ensures that HVO meets strict criteria in areas such as:

• Fuel composition

• Density and viscosity

• Cold-weather performance

• Emissions behaviour

• Material compatibility

• Lubricity

• Cetane number

In simple terms, the standard guarantees that HVO behaves predictably and safely when used in diesel engines—an essential consideration for fleet managers, plant operators, and energy-critical environments.

Key Specifications of HVO Fuel Under EN15940

Below are the most important quality characteristics defined for paraffinic diesel fuels like HVO when produced to EN15940 standards.

1. Cetane Number

HVO typically delivers an extremely high cetane number, often around 70–90. The EN15940 requirement is lower, but HVO easily exceeds it.

A high cetane number means:

• Cleaner, quicker combustion

• Lower engine noise

• Reduced emissions

• Greater efficiency in cold weather

This is a major advantage over standard fossil diesel.

2. Density and Viscosity

The EN15940 standard sets strict boundaries for density and viscosity to ensure consistent injection performance.

HVO’s density is slightly lower than standard diesel, which can lead to marginally lower energy content per litre—yet this is often offset by cleaner combustion and improved fuel efficiency.

3. Sulphur Content

HVO fuels meeting EN15940 are effectively sulphur-free.

Benefits include:

• Lower SOx emissions

• Reduced particulate formation

• Less corrosion in storage tanks and engines

For UK air-quality goals, this is a major positive.

4. Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP)

The EN15940 standard includes defined cold-temperature performance criteria. HVO excels here, often achieving CFPP values as low as -30°C, depending on production.

This makes HVO ideal for:

• Remote or high-altitude UK sites

• Critical standby generators

• Winter fleet operations

Where biodiesel can struggle in cold weather, HVO remains stable and flow-ready.

5. Oxidation Stability

One of the standout benefits of HVO is its exceptional storage stability.

Under EN15940, fuels must demonstrate resistance to oxidation. HVO surpasses those benchmarks, allowing it to be stored for years without degradation—unlike FAME biodiesel, which can break down, absorb water, and grow microbes.

6. Lubricity

The EN15940 standard ensures that paraffinic diesels have adequate lubricity to protect fuel pumps and injectors.

Modern HVO formulations meet or exceed these requirements, helping prolong engine life and maintain operational reliability.

Why EN15940-Certified HVO Matters in the UK

1. OEM Approval and Warranty Protection

Many major engine manufacturers recognise EN15940-compliant fuels. This helps ensure:

• Warranty compatibility

• Performance reliability

• Lower risk when switching from fossil diesel

For fleets or equipment operating under strict warranty terms, this is essential.

2. Compliance with UK Sustainability Goals

As the UK tightens carbon-reduction strategies across transport, construction, and power generation, EN15940-certified HVO allows organisations to:

• Cut Scope 1 emissions

• Support tender requirements

• Demonstrate verifiable sustainability credentials

Its standardisation ensures consistency that auditors and regulators can trust.

3. Reliability for Critical Infrastructure

Data centres, hospitals, utilities, and emergency services rely on guaranteed generator performance. EN15940 ensures predictable combustion and storage behaviour—an absolute must for backup power.

4. A Future-Proof Fuel Choice

Although electrification and hydrogen technologies are developing rapidly, many industries still rely heavily on diesel engines. HVO offers a realistic, immediate pathway to lower emissions without replacing assets.

By ensuring high, consistent quality, the EN15940 standard helps position HVO as a long-term, stable solution for UK operators.

Conclusion: Understanding HVO Fuel Specifications Builds Confidence and Performance

HVO is transforming the way UK businesses approach fuel management and sustainability. But its true value lies not only in its low-carbon benefits—consistent quality and performance are equally important. The EN15940 standard provides the foundation for trust, ensuring HVO fuels meet stringent technical specifications and deliver predictable results across a wide range of applications.

For organisations seeking a reliable, drop-in, and environmentally responsible diesel alternative, EN15940-compliant HVO offers one of the most robust and future-ready solutions available today.