Mercedes-Benz Trucks has approved an alternative biodiesel fuel known as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for its trucks with heavy-duty (OM 470 or OM 471) engines as well as medium-duty (OM 936 or OM 934) variants, according to the company.

Mercedez-Benz approved the usage of HVO after comprehensive testing of the oil with the engines. Because HVO has characteristics comparable to conventional petroleum-based diesel fuel, no modifications needed to be made to the engines.

HVO doesn't diminish the engines’ performance and torque, and the trucks still meet Euro VI emissions standards.

HVO is derrived from waste materials such as waste fat, used cooking oil and also crop plant oil. The HVO raw material is sourced from cultivation facilities and does not compete with foodstuff production. HVO is a second-generation biodiesel fuel and has been produced on an industrial scale since 2007.