Tag Archives: Diesel cars

News

Biofuel Could Save Europe’s Older Diesel Cars from Extinction

As Europe accelerates its shift toward a greener future, owners of older diesel vehicles are growing increasingly anxious. With the EU’s ambitious goal to phase out internal combustion engines within the next decade, many fear their fully functional cars—especially Euro 5 diesel models—could soon be banned from the roads. But a legal, eco-friendly solution may offer a lifeline: HVO 100, a next-generation biofuel.

Brussels’ Green Ambitions Hit Reality Check

The European Union has made no secret of its desire to transition to zero-emission vehicles. Originally, lawmakers pushed for a full ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine cars by 2035. But the practical limitations of this vision are becoming clearer. Electric vehicle infrastructure remains underdeveloped in many regions, and the affordability of EVs is still a major hurdle for average consumers.

As a result, the EU has softened its stance, now signaling that plug-in hybrids and potentially even synthetic fuels and hydrogen technologies will remain part of the mix. Still, diesel engines—especially older ones—are firmly in regulators’ crosshairs.

The Dilemma for Diesel Drivers

Euro 6 diesel engines, equipped with advanced emissions controls, are relatively safe under current regulations. But millions of Euro 5 vehicles, despite being mechanically sound, may soon fall foul of new emissions laws. For many drivers, upgrading to a low-emission vehicle is financially out of reach, with new car prices—especially electrics—continuing to rise. Gone are the days of affordable entry-level models like the €6,000 Dacia.

Yet, there is a glimmer of hope for owners of older diesel cars: HVO 100, a hydrotreated vegetable oil biofuel that offers drastically reduced emissions while requiring no engine modifications.

HVO 100: The Legal Loophole

Derived from used cooking oils and plant-based fats, HVO 100 mimics the chemical structure of traditional diesel, but with significantly cleaner combustion. Through hydrogen treatment during production, HVO 100 reduces harmful pollutants such as particulates, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur compounds.

Better still, many modern diesel engines are already compatible with HVO 100, and some drivers report benefits like improved cold starts, reduced exhaust odor, and even enhanced engine performance. Most importantly, vehicles running on HVO 100 tend to pass emission tests more easily, thanks to their lower output of pollutants.

The Roadblocks Ahead

Despite its promise, HVO 100 faces two major obstacles. First is availability—the fuel is not yet widespread across Europe, with distribution currently limited to select countries and refueling stations. Second is cost—HVO 100 is about 10–15% more expensive than standard diesel, a premium many consumers may hesitate to pay, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.

Nonetheless, as regulations tighten and pressure mounts on older diesel vehicles, the incentive to switch to cleaner alternatives like HVO 100 is growing. For now, this biofuel remains a viable and legal way for hundreds of thousands of diesel car owners to stay on the road without falling foul of the EU’s green agenda.

In a landscape where internal combustion engines are gradually being pushed out, HVO 100 might just be the bridge fuel that keeps Europe moving—and breathing a little easier.

Source: Automotive News; Photo: ADAC

News

Volvo’s last diesel car is the XC90

Last year, Volvo announced that it will end production of all remaining diesel models in 2024, as the company’s goal is to become a fully electric brand by the end of the decade. After almost half a century and more than nine million diesel cars sold in the last 33 years, Volvo has decided that it’s time for the end. Their last diesel car is a Volvo XC90.

This SUV is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder from the VEA (Volvo Engine Architecture) family. It is the second diesel engine that Volvo has produced in its 97-year history. Their first diesel engine was produced at the beginning of the century, in the Swedish factory in Skovde, which in the meantime switched to the production of electric engines.

Diesel cars used to be in high demand, at least in Europe. In 2015, more than 50 percent of new cars sold in Europe were diesels. But since then, their demand has been falling rapidly. 2019 was the last year when the majority of Volvo cars sold were diesels. After that, a big drop in sales of these cars was recorded every year, and in 2022 it was only 8.9 percent.

“Electric powertrains are our future, and superior to combustion engines: they generate less noise, less vibration, less servicing costs for our customers and zero tailpipe emissions. We’re fully focused on creating a broad portfolio of premium, fully electric cars that deliver on everything our customers expect from a Volvo – and are a key part of our response to climate change,” says Jim Rowan, Chief Executive at Volvo Cars.

Source: Volvo

News

Volvo will stop producing diesel cars from 2024

It is well known that all major car manufacturers have decided to stop offering cars with ICE by the end of the decade, and switch to the production of fully electric cars. According to the latest information, it seems that Volvo has decided on a radical move, announcing that it will end the production of all remaining diesel models by the beginning of 2024.

“Electric powertrains are our future, and superior to combustion engines: they generate less noise, less vibration, less servicing costs for our customers and zero tailpipe emissions. We’re fully focused on creating a broad portfolio of premium, fully electric cars that deliver on everything our customers expect from a Volvo – and are a key part of our response to climate change,” says Jim Rowan, Chief Executive at Volvo Cars.

Diesel cars used to be in high demand, at least in Europe. In 2015, more than 50 percent of new cars sold in Europe were diesels. But since then, their demand has been falling rapidly, and today it is only 14 percent.

2019 was the last year when the majority of Volvo cars sold were diesels. After that, a big drop in sales of these cars was recorded every year, and last year it was only 8.9 percent. According to sales data for last month, 33 percent of Volvo cars sold were fully electric or plug-in hybrid models, while it is not known how many of the remaining 67 percent were diesel cars.

Source: Volvo