Mercedes-Benz Trucks' engines to be powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has granted approval for the use of the alternative fuel known as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a second-generation biodiesel fuel which comes from waste materials such as waste fat, used cooking oil and also oil from crop plants.

The HVO raw material is sourced from controlled and certified cultivation facilities and as such does not compete with foodstuff production. The approval from February 2016 relates to the in-line six-cylinder engine variants of the Mercedes-Benz OM 470, OM 471 (first generation) and OM 936 as well as the in-line four-cylinder variants of the OM 934 meeting the Euro VI emissions standard. The engines are designed as standard to make use of the new HVO fuel.

OM 470, OM 471, OM 936 and OM 934

Mercedes-Benz’s trucks fitted with engines from the OM 470, OM 471, OM 936 and OM 934 series meeting the Euro VI emissions standard may be operated with HVO from February 2016. The decision applies to all engine variants whatever their output category.

HVO validated by extensive testing; maintenance intervals unchanged

HVO, termed as the ‘green’ diesel, has been produced on an industrial scale since 2007. It is sulphur-free and contains no aromatics, while no ash is produced during the combustion process. The fuel can be used either in its pure form as an alternative to conventional diesel fuel or as an admixture in order to improve overall environmental performance. Use of unblended HVO above all leads to dramatic improvements in CO₂ performance.

Since the characteristics of HVO mean that it is absolutely comparable to conventionally produced petroleum-based diesel fuel, no modifications to the engines or their peripherals are necessary. The injection process, fuel lines and seals remain unchanged.

The same is also true of the intervals for oil changes and for cleaning the particulate filter, while there is no restriction in terms of warranty and goodwill policy. Engine performance and torque data also remain the same when HVO is used.