Audi claims that hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) will work with its six-cylinder turbo-diesel engines, which can produce up to 210 kW (281 hp).
The use of this technology to produce renewable fuel is the culmination of the company’s pursuit of decarbonization and carbon neutrality within its model portfolio before 2030.
According to a press release, the Audi A4, A7, Q7, and Q8 are equipped with the V6 TDI engine and have been selected for the next stage of decarbonization. Audi has also revealed that starting in mid-February, all of the selected vehicles will be compatible with HVO.
The Ingolstadt-based automaker has stated that it will continue to develop vehicles that can use hydrotreated vegetable oil in the future.
Oliver Hoffman, Audi’s Development Officer, stated, “We’re optimising our existing combustion engine portfolio for more efficiency and lower emissions. One way we’re doing this is by creating the requisite technical foundations for the use of sustainable fuels such as HVO.”
Since the middle of last year, powertrains such as the R4 TDI installed in vehicles such as the A4, A6, A7, and Q5 have been certified for HVO use in Sweden.
HVO and its Advantages
HVO is a renewable biofuel made from excess or waste materials such as food-grade vegetable oils or agricultural residue. By combining these substances with hydrogen, the material is converted into aliphatic hydrogen.
Aliphatic hydrogen is compatible with diesel engines and can be used to replace fossil elements in fuels, blended with traditional diesel fuel, or used as a standalone fuel.
Using HVO instead of conventional diesel reduces CO2 emissions, promotes cleaner combustion, and improves combustion efficiency.
Matthias Schober, Audi’s Head of Powertrain Development for V-TFSI, TDI, and PHEV, stated, “As the cetane rating of HVO is around 30 percent higher, the combustibility of the engines is enhanced. The positive effects of this are particularly noticeable when cold starting. We tested the effects on various components, the performance, and exhaust emissions in specific validation runs before granting approval.”
Over 600 filling stations in Europe currently offer renewable fuels, and HVO availability is expected to grow further.
Contribution of Automobile Manufacturers to Carbon Neutrality
Other automakers, such as Porsche and McLaren, have already made tremendous progress in their pursuit of the best synthetic fuel, despite Audi’s significant steps toward its carbon-neutral initiative.
Furthermore, as the supply and demand for electric vehicles grows, the ageing internal combustion engines (ICE) will be put under more strain. Biofuels and other synthetic fuels like these could be the key to keeping ICEs alive in the automotive industry.
To read our blog on “The Samsung Galaxy S22 will be made from recycled ocean plastics,” click here.
