Rolls-Royce using HVO for its diesel tests in Germany
In Germany, Rolls-Royce is continuing its drive towards becoming a lower carbon business with engine tests for its mtu diesel engines in Friedrichshafen, Augsburg and Ruhstorf in Germany now carried out on hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO). By the end of 2025, the company had saved around 3,200 metric tons of CO2 as a result of switching to renewable diesel derived from vegetable oils and waste materials. Emissions of soot particles and nitrogen oxides also fell significantly.
The switch began with initial test runs in September 2024, with further facilities switching over the following year until, finally, the key diesel engines of the mtu Series 4000 for ships, trains and energy systems were all being tested with HVO in Germany. In Friedrichshafen, this reduced CO2 emissions from testing facilities – called test benches – by around 25 per cent in 2025, compared to operation with fossil diesel. In 2026, Rolls-Royce expects even greater savings, as the test benches will be operated with sustainable fuel all year round.
Category: Fuels
