Ford’s new alternative fuel: veggie power

Ford has become the latest vehicle manufacturer to do its bit for air quality – this time by using renewable diesel fuel in some of its vehicles.
By Ben Spencer February 7, 2020 Read time: 1 min
Ford looks to power transit vans with hydrotreated vegetable oil (© StudioPlum | Dreamstime.com)

The company has approved the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) - based on waste oils, including cooking oil that can be sourced from restaurants, takeaways and home kitchens - in its Transit vans.

Hans Schep, general manager, commercial vehicles at Ford of Europe, says: “Enabling our vans to run on fuel made from waste, including used cooking oil, may sound far-fetched but using HVO is, in fact, a very real way in which Transit drivers and fleet operators will soon be able to help everybody enjoy improved air quality.”

HVO emits less nitrogen dioxide and particles than other diesel vehicles because it contains no sulphur or oxygen, the company adds.

Ford tested HVO in its 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine to ensure no modifications would be needed or servicing would not be affected.

HVO is currently available at selected fuel stations in Scandinavia and the Baltic states in a pure form or as a blend with regular diesel.

Air Quality & Weather Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New US fuel efficiency standards would cost over US$65 billion in lost revenue
    April 17, 2012
    Friday’s proposal by the Obama Administration to increase fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks to an average 54.5 miles per gallon (4.32 litres/100 km) between 2017 and 2025 would result in the loss of more than $65 billion in federal funding for state and local highway, bridge and transit improvements, an analysis by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) shows.
    Read More
  • Connected vehicle technology the solution to safety?
    January 25, 2012
    A series of 'driver clinics' is under way across five states, as vehicle manufacturers and the US Government pin their hopes on connected vehicles becoming the next big advance in road safety. Pete Goldin reports. What would a car say if it could talk? Its first words might be: "Here I am". Many vehicles are communicating that very message to each other right now. Admittedly, this is in controlled environments of US Department of Transportation (USDoT) tests, but within the next few years 'connected vehicle
    Read More
  • ITS benefits escape public
    June 8, 2015
    John Kendall considers the public’s awareness of the benefits of ITS. While the results of developing ITS technology may be clear to readers of ITS International, there is far less evidence that drivers have any appreciation of what the technology is doing for them. So how aware are drivers of the developments that are designed to make their journeys less congested and safer?
    Read More
  • Microgrids & the new power generation
    August 31, 2021
    Public transportation agencies are turning to microgrids to provide critical resilience in the event of local and regional power interruptions. Gordon Feller looks at projects in Maryland, New Jersey and Massachusetts
    Read More

Highlighted Content