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<p>Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is one type of biofuel which can be used as a
transport fuel. Biofuels are typically blended with petrol and diesel when sold on
UK forecourts, as opposed to being offered for sale separately. HVO has been eligible
for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme for more than
a decade.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does not require data on the number of fuelling
stations selling diesel containing HVO, or any other type of biofuel. Given the complexity
of fuel supply chains placing such a requirement on fuel retailers would be burdensome.
The Department regularly publishes renewable fuel statistics. These include the volumes
of biofuel supplied UK-wide by type. In 2020, 38 million litres of biodiesel of HVO
was supplied under the RTFO in the UK. The relatively low volumes of HVO supplied
is explained in part by there being no HVO production in the UK currently, and HVO
being relatively more expensive than other types of biodiesel. It is open to fuel
retailers to advertise that the diesel they sell at the pump contains HVO. Whether
suppliers and retailers choose to do so is a commercial matter.</p><p> </p><p>As we
transition to net zero, renewable fuels such as biodiesel will remain important in
our efforts to reduce carbon emissions. To this end the Government increased targets
for the supply of renewable fuels under the RTFO in December. It is also understood
that HVO has the benefit of potentially being able to be supplied in much higher <del
class="ministerial">bends</del> <ins class="ministerial">blends</ins> than the <del
class="ministerial">10%</del> <ins class="ministerial">7%</ins> biodiesel threshold
currently referenced in the fuel standards for diesel. Using high blends of biofuels,
or drop-in fuels, in captive fleets such as in the heavy vehicles sector, is an option
to further maximise carbon savings. As part of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan,
we committed to work with stakeholders to review the role of these fuels in compatible
vehicles and potential measures to remove barriers to their deployment.</p><p> </p>
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