Sweden's largest oil refiner, renewable fuels producer and distributor Preem has announced that it will cease blending RME in its Preem Evolution Diesel switching to HVO instead. This will give Preem's approximately 500 Swedish filling stations for light and heavy traffic a diesel with better cold properties, longer storage life, and a reduced risk of operating problems.
Rapemethylester (RME) has been blended into Swedish standard diesel since 2006, but RME has properties that make the fuel more sensitive to water and microbial growth.
This can cause operational disruptions, especially during longer storage periods.
With Preem’s switch from RME to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), customers will receive a diesel with improved cold properties.
Our customers have long requested a diesel free of RME. By removing RME, we can offer the market a diesel that maintains a higher technical performance, without compromising the fuel’s climate performance, said Daniel Granquist, Fuel Expert at Preem.
Improved cold property, the same storability as regular diesel, and an increased energy content mean that Preem Evolution Diesel will be a reliable diesel for the Swedish transport sector and its vehicles.
This makes it particularly suitable for vehicles used in cold conditions or that are unused for a long time, such as seasonal vehicles, boats, and agricultural machinery.
There is a misconception that all diesel types work the same, but this is not the case. HVO is chemically equivalent to fossil diesel, which provides less risk of operating problems and provides better performance all year round than with RME. This strengthens our offering to the transport sector throughout Sweden, said Daniel Granquist.
Available nationwide except on Gotland
The upgraded Preem Evolution Diesel is now available at Preem stations throughout mainland Sweden.
For logistical reasons, the four Preem stations on Gotland, which will continue to deliver diesel with RME content until further notice, are not included.
The product meets the Swedish standard for diesel, meaning that no new permits from vehicle manufacturers are required. All engine warranties apply as usual, and no changes in service intervals or handling are required.
