SOCAR rolls out sustainably produced diesel HVO100 across Switzerland

New Locations, New Standards: SOCAR Expands Offering for Sustainable Mobility

SOCAR continues to drive the energy transition at Swiss service stations by steadily expanding the availability of the renewable diesel fuel HVO100. This alternative fuel reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil diesel – without requiring engine modifications and with no compromise in performance or everyday usability.

"By introducing HVO100, we are taking another step towards a technology-neutral path to sustainable mobility," says Matthias Eisenhauer, Director Retail at SOCAR. "This alternative diesel complements our existing efforts in e-mobility and hydrogen. Our goal is to offer customers a climate-friendly choice as simply as possible – without sacrificing reliability. That’s exactly where HVO100 comes in."

A Barrier-Free Alternative
SOCAR Diesel HVO100 is produced exclusively from biogenic waste and residual materials, completely avoiding the use of agricultural land that could otherwise be used for food production. The synthetic fuel is almost entirely free of sulfur, aromatics, and nitrogen compounds, ensuring exceptionally clean combustion with significantly lower soot and particulate emissions.

These characteristics make HVO100 not only an ecologically sound solution but also a technically simple one. Vehicles with an XTL label on the fuel cap – common on many modern diesel vehicles – can switch to SOCAR Diesel HVO100 without any modifications, even in temperatures as low as –30°C. For fuel station operators, HVO100 integrates easily into existing infrastructure: it is simple to store, transport, and distribute.

Rollout Underway
At a partner site in Sarnen, HVO100 is already in storage; sales will begin shortly. Conversions have been completed at SOCAR sites in Muttenz and Füllinsdorf, with commissioning imminent. In Glattbrugg, technical approval has been granted, and sales are scheduled to begin in mid-July.

Overall, SOCAR plans to equip around 15 stations with SOCAR Diesel HVO100. The rollout will be gradual and regularly communicated.

Broader Strategy
The introduction of HVO100 is part of a comprehensive decarbonization strategy through which SOCAR aims to offer a wide range of low-emission energy sources. This includes fast-charging stations for electric vehicles (SOCAR Charge) and hydrogen refueling stations along national highways. SOCAR’s technology-neutral approach has received multiple awards – including the Watt d'Or from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy.