Kubota announces HVO fuel trials in the UK

Kubota in the UK has announced it has been carrying out trials of hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO) across a number of its construction machines, as part of a wider, ongoing sustainability push.

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The scheme will see five Kubota machines running on the bio-based liquid fuel. The machines are been monitored with specialised engine telematics which is sending data back on all the engine telemetry.  The data gathered will be used at a global level to help determine Kubota’s future fuel strategy.

HVO is a paraffinic bio-based liquid fuel that is derived from a wide array of vegetable oils, including rapeseed, sunflower and soy bean, alongside some animal fats. The use of the fuel has proven sustainability benefits, with HVO diesel reducing greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90%. 

Entirely fossil free, HVO does not release any new carbon dioxide into the atmosphere The fuel being tested meets EN 15940 standards and Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC Annex II  allowing it to be used in diesel engines without modification. 

Rob White, divisional manager for construction equipment at Kubota UK, said: “This trial into the use of HVO fuel across five dedicated test machines is a major milestone for Kubota. The construction industry has a vital role to play in helping the UK and Europe meet its carbon reduction targets, with alternative fuels – such as HVO – an exciting step forward on the journey to more sustainable machinery. Not only does HVO deliver the obvious carbon reduction benefits, it also has better filterability and combustion cold weather resistance than other diesel products on the market. 

Shin Kamada, Vice President for Construction Sales & Marketing in Europe, commented: “The outcome of these trials will have an important bearing on Kubota’s wider sustainability strategy, so we’ll be keeping a very close eye on how HVO impacts our fleet performance and fuel efficiencies.”