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

  • Drones make Soarizon watcher of the skies
    December 16, 2020
    Getting a close view of where traffic problems are occurring is one of the main selling points of the ITS vision industry. Soarizon is doing things differently, Benjamin Orcan tells Adam Hill
    Read More
  • UK government publishes new air quality plan for consultation
    May 8, 2017
    The UK government has published a draft plan to improve air quality by reducing nitrogen dioxide levels in the country. The options now open for consultation on reducing nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities are designed to reduce the impact of diesel vehicles, and accelerate the move to cleaner transport. Local authorities are already responsible for improving air quality in their area, but will now be expected to develop new and creative solutions to reduce emissions as quickly as possible, while avoid
    Read More
  • Van Pool requests 40 Ballad fuel-cell engines for buses in Germany
    March 6, 2018
    Ballad Power Systems (Ballad) has received a letter of intent from original equipment manufacturer partner Van Hool, for 40 FCveloCity-HD 85-kilowatt fuel cell engines to power buses in Germany under the first Joint Initiative For Hydrogen Vehicles Across Europe (JIVE) program. These projects aim to commercialise fuel cell electric buses, reduce costs and support the development of hydrogen refuelling stations. Van Hool plans to deploy 30 of these buses with the Regionalverkehr Köln transit agency in
    Read More
  • The downside of driverless vehicles
    October 27, 2016
    Driverless cars will have a detrimental effect on congestion and security while the road safety benefits can be achieved sooner and cheaper using ADAS, argues Colin Sowman. Many Governments are consulting about the introduction of driverless vehicles and even running trials. As 70% or 80% of crashes are caused by human error, the promise of a crash-free future of driverless, self-driving or autonomous vehicles (call them what you will) is alluring, as are the claims of reduced congestion and lower emissions
    Read More

Highlighted Content