Stellantis launches HVO trial

Stellantis is on a mission to prove that low carbon fuel (LCF) offers an easy, accessible and complementary way to reduce carbon emissions for light commercial vehicle (LCV) fleets as it has launched HVO Aurora, a project designed to help businesses reduce their emissions through the application of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

As a renewable fuel made from waste materials such as used cooking oils and animal fats, HVO is attractive because it can be used in fleets without vehicle modification.

HVO Aurora is focusing on monitoring, verifying and reporting the use of HVO through the introduction of a tracking and certification system that records fuel type, trip distance and consumption.

With this, it hopes to collect real-world conditions data to allow businesses to see for themselves the environmental benefits of LCF.

In November, the company launched a month-long European road tour with SP3H, a French company that offers intelligent sensors for LCF.

Two Stellantis vans – a Citroën Berlingo and Fiat Professional Ducato – were equipped with SP3H’s FluidBox Micro sensor and set off across Europe to collect real-world usage data.

The idea is to demonstrate how cleaner, traceable fuels can be used in current vehicle fleets without modifications to the fleet or existing infrastructure. All Stellantis cars and LCVs on sale are compatible with HVO diesel fuel.

“HVO Aurora shows how we can reduce well-to-wheel emissions immediately, using solutions that work with the vehicles our customers already rely on,” said Luca Marengo, Head of Product and Innovation for Stellantis Pro One. “At Stellantis Pro One, we remain committed to providing practical and scalable ways to help businesses reduce full cycle emissions now. This project is a concrete step forward in building a cleaner future for mobility in Europe.”

Lamech Solomon, Head of Decarbonisation at Logistics UK said: “Whilst operators are committed to decarbonising and many are successfully trialling electric vehicles, LCF offer immediate emissions savings and can help provide a complementary solution.

“It is important we embrace all viable decarbonisation options and we’re pleased to see Stellantis putting this into practice with its own trials and demonstrating how LCF.”