Volvo Trucks North America has approved the use of renewable diesel fuel for all of its proprietary Volvo engines after concluding road and lab testing, the company announced.

Renewable diesel fuel is derived from biomass feedstocks such as oils or animal fats. Unlike conventional biodiesel, renewable diesel has a much lower cloud point which Volvo says will improve its low temperature performance compared with conventional biodiesel.

“Availability of renewable diesel fuel is growing in California and throughout the country,” said Frank Bio, Volvo's director, sales development, specialty vehicles and alternative fuels. “Renewable diesel meets the same ASTM D975 standard for petroleum diesel, making it a true ‘drop in’ fuel.”

Potential benefits of using renewable diesel fuel include lower particulate-matter emissions on pre-EPA 2010 engines, he said. It can also require less maintenance compared with other alternative fuels, and there is no warranty risk for using the fuel on any Volvo truck equipped with a Volvo engine.

“Environmental care is a core value of Volvo Trucks, and we are pleased to offer our customers another alternative fuel choice,” said Bio.