Updated approval list shows many commercial vehicles are ready for high blends of biodiesel

Many trucks, buses, tractors, and construction vehicles are already approved for higher biodiesel blends, according to a list composed by the Association Quality Management Biodiesel (AGQM). The list was published together with several German and international European associations such as the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) and the European Waste-based & Advanced Biofuels Association (EWABA). In the updated approval list, the AGQM compiled information from 20 vehicle and engine manufacturers, showing which commercial vehicles and engines can be operated without any problems with higher biodiesel blends or pure biodiesel. The list is publicly available on the AGQM website.

In addition to providing the list, AGQM ensures the quality of biodiesel through a comprehensive quality assurance system with regular, unannounced sampling at its members, manufacturers, and storage operators. “This means that vehicles can be operated with B20, B30, or B100 without any problems. The AGQM's B100 commercial vehicle standard ensures the use of pure biodiesel in state-of-the-art engines and exhaust aftertreatment systems," says Katharina Friedrich, manager of AGQM.

Diesel-type engines remain dominant

Around six million trucks currently operate on Europe’s roads, more than 95% of them powered by diesel engines. Together they consume about 100 billion litres of fuel each year. With a service life of 15–20 years, diesel trucks will remain a significant part of the fleet for years to come, even if alternative drive systems are rapidly introduced. In this context, renewable fuels that are immediately available are crucial. Therefore, biodiesel is essential for achieving practical climate protection in both existing fleets and new vehicles used for heavy-duty transport. It provides public and private operators with an effective means of reducing CO₂ emissions.

Higher biodiesel blends

Compared to fossil diesel, biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 86 percent (BLE Evaluation and Experience Report 2024). Currently, Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) biodiesel is blended with fossil diesel at a standard ratio of up to seven percent and offered as B7 at public filling stations. Higher blends such as B10, B20, B30, and even pure biodiesel (B100) can deliver significantly greater emission reductions.

Angel Alvarez Alberdi, EWABA Secretary General said: “We believe that the approval list will facilitate higher biodiesel blends to fulfil their full potential – blends ranging from B20 to B100 could significantly reduce exhaust emissions in key European transport, construction and agriculture commercial businesses, currently predominantly run by diesel-powered heavy vehicles.”

Xavier Noyon, the Secretary General of EBB said: “It crucial for FAME producers that we have a list showing how many vehicles can run on higher blends without adaptation. Vehicle manufacturers, who have contributed greatly to this project are often already aware, but some users may not be. We hope this will confirm to operators the wide availability of engines operating on B10 and higher blends allowing them to reduce effectively their GHG emissions.”

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