Thermo King approves fossil-free diesel fuel

Thermo King, one of the leading companies in transport temperature control solutions, has given the thumbs up to the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The use of HVO fuel offers a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter pollution, with no loss in engine performance in comparison to fossil fuels.

Thermo King, a brand of Trane Technologies, has announced that it approves the use of HVO fossil-free, diesel fuel as a more sustainable alternative to power its truck and trailer refrigeration units.

The use of HVO results in a significant reduction in Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions and Particulate Matter (PM), providing improved air quality for those working in and around the site where fuel is being burned. HVO is more stable than conventional diesel products when stored and lasts longer in the tank, which in turn reduces the risk of water ingress and microbial growth, and lessens the overall risk of contamination. With a freezing point of -40°C, there are no concerns over performance through winter compared with traditional forms of biodiesel.

“Thermo King has the largest range of zero and low-emission transport temperature control solutions in the industry,” said Francesco Incalza, president of Thermo King in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Our customers value us for our commitment to advance the technology and capability of refrigerated transport. We keep innovating to reduce the environmental footprint of our products, and by testing and validating the use of HVO in our units, we give our customers another option to increase the sustainability of their operations.”

Thermo King has thoroughly tested the HVO biodiesel in its truck and trailer units on the road and conducted endurance tests in its laboratory in the manufacturing plant in Galway, Ireland. The results showed that the units’ performance is not affected even in low-ambient, freezing temperatures. The HVO biodiesel can be used as a drop-in replacement or mixed with regular diesel, with no need to modify the unit’s engine or institute more frequent maintenance intervals.

This step by Thermo King is part of the actions taken by Trane Technologies to make progress against its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including its Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer emissions by one billion metric tons. Trane Technologies plans to cut its product carbon emissions by nearly 50% by 2030. Its ambitious targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). It also supports the Paris Agreement goal to limit global warming to 1,5°C, which will require net-zero global carbon emissions by 2050.