A new Diesel fuel composed of 33% waste materials which reduces CO2 emissions by at least 20% compared to traditional fuel has passed testing.
The path to sustainability does not just pass through revolutionary technologies such as electric vehicles. As a matter of fact, improving existing ones in order to continuously reduce their environmental impact is an essential step. This is why Volkswagen has successfully tested R33 BlueDiesel, a newly developed fuel which, thanks to the use of biofuels, allows CO2 reductions of at least 20% compared to traditional diesel fuel. The test phase began this January at the company’s in-house filling station in Wolfsburg, where Volkswagen employees refuelled some company vehicles exclusively with R33 BlueDiesel for nine months.
On the way to series production
Following the successful test phase, R33 BlueDiesel is now being used permanently at Volkswagen's filling stations in Wolfsburg. A test operation has also been started at the Volkswagen plant in Salzgitter. Some other project partners such as Robert Bosch GmbH have also started to use R33.
Ready for refuellingR33 was jointly developed by Volkswagen, the Coburg University and other project partners, and complies with the diesel standard DIN EN 590. The current supplier is Shell Global Solutions in cooperation with Tecosol and Neste. Made of up to one third renewable components, it fulfils all criteria for use as a standard fuel without having to meet further requirements. This is another reason why it is of particular interest to Volkswagen's fleet customers whose diesel vehicles cover significant mileage every year, as its use helps to achieve climate protection goals. |
From the deep fryer to the diesel tank
Chips play an important role in the production of raw materials for biofuels, as the cooking fat used to make them is re-used in an intelligent manner: the fat is filtered, cleaned and processed into a paraffin mixture or biodiesel, which is then added to the conventional diesel. R33 BlueDiesel therefore boasts a biofuel content of up to 33% based exclusively on residual and waste materials. At least 20% of the CO2 emissions of conventional diesel fuel can therefore be offset.
Source: Volkswagen AG
