HVO or B100: choosing the right sustainable fuel for your fleet in 2026

Two fuels, two different technical logics

HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) is a synthetic diesel made by hydrotreating oils and fats, which gives it a chemical composition very close to fossil diesel. It can typically be used neat or blended in existing diesel engines without mechanical changes, and it stores better over time than conventional biodiesel.

B100, a biodiesel produced through esterification of vegetable oils or animal fats (FAME), has physical and chemical properties further from fossil diesel: cold-weather sensitivity, more limited oxidation stability, and engine compatibility that must be checked case by case against manufacturer specifications. It remains a mature option, however, long established in the European market with distribution networks already in place in several countries.

Fleet compatibility and operational constraints

For a fleet manager, the first consideration is engine compatibility. HVO is recognized by many manufacturers as a direct substitute for diesel, which simplifies its integration into mixed fleets of heavy-duty trucks, construction equipment, and commercial vehicles. B100 often imposes stricter restrictions: some manufacturers limit its use to specific models or require more rigorous maintenance monitoring (filters, seals, oil change intervals).

• Engine approval: must be confirmed with the manufacturer for each model and fuel before switching any fleet over.
• Climate and storage: B100 is more sensitive to cold and to oxidation over time than HVO.
• Local availability: the network of stations and depots varies significantly by region and supplier.
• Fleet diversity: a mix of vehicles of different ages and brands complicates broad B100 deployment.
• Feedstock traceability: used oils, residues or dedicated crops — a decisive factor for regulatory compliance.

What regulation changes in 2026

Operators of road, maritime or rail fleets are increasingly required to document the origin and carbon impact of the fuels they use, under European frameworks such as RED III, FuelEU Maritime for shipping, or the non-financial reporting obligations of CSRD. These frameworks do not treat HVO and B100 in exactly the same way: accounting depends notably on the feedstock used (used cooking oil, agricultural residues, dedicated crops) and its traceability across the supply chain — a point that should be confirmed with a regulatory expert before any public claim.

Several member states also apply tax incentives or partial exemptions for biofuels, with rules that differ from one country to another and change regularly. For a company operating across multiple markets, this means a fuel choice that makes sense in France is not necessarily the right one just across the border, and continuous regulatory monitoring is needed to avoid surprises during audits or annual reporting.

Costs, availability and the economic trade-off

Le HVO se positionne en général comme une solution premium : sa flexibilité d'usage et sa compatibilité moteur étendue ont un coût, et sa disponibilité reste inégale selon les régions et les volumes recherchés. Le B100, produit depuis plus longtemps à plus grande échelle dans certains pays européens, peut offrir un positionnement tarifaire plus accessible, à condition que la flotte concernée soit techniquement adaptée et que l'approvisionnement local soit fiable.

The right choice is not just about price per liter: it depends on your fleet's engine compatibility, local fuel availability, and how the fuel is recognised under the regulatory frameworks that apply to your business.

In practice, many operators combine both options depending on fleet segment: HVO for the most sensitive vehicles or critical operations, B100 for homogeneous fleets already validated by the manufacturer. This blended approach helps secure supply while keeping flexibility if prices or availability shift during the year.

Structuring the decision in 2026

Before switching fuels, it is worth mapping the fleet by vehicle type, age and manufacturer guidance, then cross-checking this against actual fuel availability from regular suppliers and the regulatory obligations that apply to each activity (road, sea, rail, aviation). This step helps avoid decisions made on price alone, which can turn out costly once technical or administrative constraints surface during operation.

Platforms such as Heeding connect fuel buyers with producers and distributors of sustainable fuels, and help organise the compliance tracking tied to each volume purchased, which simplifies decision-making for fleet managers facing multiple, evolving regulatory requirements.