Sustainable Power Solutions for the Future


Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)

When reliability matters and expectations are rising, organisations need power solutions that perform today and support tomorrow’s sustainability goals. 

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) gives customers a practical way to reduce emissions, improve air quality and support safety outcomes — without changing equipment or disrupting operations. Used as a direct replacement for conventional diesel in approved Cat® engines, HVO delivers lower-emission performance while maintaining the reliability critical operations depend on. 

What is HVO? 

HVO is a renewable diesel made from waste and residue feedstocks. It behaves like conventional diesel, allowing it to be used in approved Caterpillar engines without modification. 

Because it meets recognised fuel quality standards, HVO is suitable for standby and prime power applications — providing a cleaner option without compromising performance or reliability. 

Cleaner fuel. Proven performance. 

HVO delivers measurable benefits across emissions, safety and compliance — without requiring operational or equipment changes. Using HVO can help organisations: 

• Reduce lifecycle CO₂ emissions, supporting Scope 1 reporting under NGERS 

• Align with evolving emissions legislation and customer ESG expectations 

• Improve air quality by significantly reducing diesel particulate matter (DPM) 

• Reduce occupational exposure risks compared to diesel and biodiesel 

• Maintain performance and reliability comparable to conventional diesel 

For many customers, HVO provides a low-risk, near-term step toward emissions reduction while longer-term strategies are developed. 

Proven safety and operational outcomes 

Reducing occupational exposure is a critical, and often overlooked, part of sustainability. 

EPSA has conducted independent monitoring during live operations to assess the impact of HVO use. This testing confirmed that full HVO substitution: 

• Reduced diesel particulate matter (DPM) to below the new Workplace Exposure Limit 

• Eliminated detectable DPM in personal exposure samples during typical operating shifts 

• Enabled safer indoor testing compared to diesel and biodiesel 

In EPSA operations, these outcomes also reduced the need to relocate equipment outdoors and improved productivity by minimising handling, setup and movement. 

Together, these results demonstrate that HVO delivers practical safety, compliance and efficiency benefits, not just emissions reduction. 

A practical step in the energy transition 

Energy transition looks different for every organisation. HVO provides a practical, near-term option that complements existing diesel power systems — reducing emissions, improving air quality and supporting safer operations today, while enabling longer-term sustainability strategies. 

EPSA supports customers who are: 

• Seeking immediate Scope 1 emissions reductions 

• Operating in environments with strict air quality or occupational exposure requirements 

• Aligning with industry and regulatory expectations, including NGERS 

• Progressing energy transition goals without capital investment 

HVO can be incorporated into service and selected generator applications as part of a broader power solution, with transparent emissions and compliance reporting aligned to regulatory requirements. 

Let’s talk HVO 

If you’re exploring alternative fuel options or looking to support emissions reduction targets without operational disruption, our team can help assess whether HVO is right for your application. 

Talk to us about cleaner power solutions → 

Fuel specifications and compliance 

HVO use is subject to fuel meeting applicable Caterpillar fuel specifications, including EN 15940 or ASTM D975. As with conventional diesel, fuel quality and compliance with specification requirements remain the responsibility of the fuel supplier and end user. 

EPSA recommends compatible HVO suppliers, including Viva Energy and RD2GO.