Neste.com
uncategorized · 11/17/2011

Neste Oil’s renewable diesel passenger car trial completed in Germany, recording major reductions in tailpipe and greenhouse gas emissions 17.11.2011

A trial by Neste Oil and its German partners on a new 100% renewable diesel fuel has just been completed in Bavaria, Germany. Fifteen different cars took part in the year-long field trial, running on Diesel regenerativ, a new type of renewable diesel blend. The Diesel regenerative fuel used in the trial contained either 93% or 98% Neste Oil’s NExBTL renewable diesel and 7% or 2% of conventional FAME-type biodiesel – both produced from rapeseed oil.

The trial, which took place in Coburg and Munich, showed that the fuel, produced from 100% renewable inputs, is ideally suited to urban motoring and can make a significant contribution to reducing tailpipe emissions; particulates, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions were reduced by 5-15%.

The project also investigated the levels of greenhouse gases released by the vehicles in the trial. An analysis by researchers from the Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut showed that use of the fuel resulted in 50% lower emissions of greenhouse gases compared to fossil diesel.

Federal Secretary of State for Transport Rainer Bomba was pleased with the results: “The research project provides important insights for further development and practical suitability of alternative fuels...The knowledge acquired will be incorporated into the Mobility and Fuel Strategy of the German government which is currently being developed.”

“The results are very much in line with our previous field trials and studies,” says Osmo Kammonen, Neste Oil’s Senior Vice President, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs. “Renewable diesel is an excellent solution for reducing urban traffic emissions, particularly as no modifications to existing engines are needed to make use of this fuel. We will continue working with our partners to ensure that this type of fuel is available to drivers in the future.”

In addition to Neste Oil, the project involved a number of German authorities, universities, research institutions, and automotive manufacturers:

• Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment and Public Health
• Coburg University of Applied Sciences
• Volkswagen AG
• AUDI AG
• Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (vTI)
• OMV
• Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP).

The fuel also showed its performance potential at the ADAC 24-Hour Race held at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany this summer, where two teams competed very successfully with cars powered by Diesel regenerativ.