Audi wants to improve the CO2 balance of its diesel engines and relies on a regenerative fuel. But it's still hard to find in Germany.
Audi gives its V6 diesel units up to and including 210 kW/286 hp for refueling with the fuel HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) free. Initially, the engines from the A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q7 and Q8 series, which have been in production since mid-February 2022, can be fueled with HVO. From March, this will also be possible for the corresponding Q5 units, the A6 allroad in the expansion stage up to 180 kW/245 hp will follow in the summer.
CO2 savings with V6 diesel engines
HVO fuel is made from residual and waste materials, including used cooking oil from the food industry or residues from agriculture. It can be mixed with conventional diesel and thus replace fossil components or be used as a pure fuel. With this fuel, 70 to 95 percent CO2 can be saved compared to fossil diesel. Another advantage is the higher cetane number, which ensures more efficient and cleaner combustion compared to conventional diesel. HVO is one of the BTL fuels (Biomass-to-Liquid) and is qualified according to the EN 15940 standard.
In contrast to Scandinavia, there are only a few HVO filling stations in Germany; the EN 15940 fuel standard is not yet included in the German fuel quality regulations. For the European market, Audi has released the 2021-cylinder diesel units in the Audi A4, Q3 and Q2 that have been built since June 3 for HVO. In addition, the four-cylinder diesels in the A4, A5, A6, A7 and Q5 series are HVO-capable in Sweden, Denmark and Italy.