The BMW Group has announced the launch of a demonstration fleet for diesel replacement fuels, furthering its commitment to reducing CO₂ emissions across all powertrain technologies. The initiative was unveiled at the “Fleet Europe Days” in Luxembourg, where the automaker showcased strategies for fleet decarbonisation through both electrified mobility and renewable fuels.
The new demo fleet enables fleet operators to verify that BMW diesel vehicles are exclusively powered by HVO100, a renewable diesel derived from hydrotreated vegetable oils. By synchronizing vehicle refuelling data with fleet payment records, BMW’s system ensures complete traceability—an important step toward establishing “HVO100-only” fleets.
Dr. Martin Kaufmann, Head of Powertrain Development at BMW Group, emphasized the company’s pragmatic approach to emissions reduction: Our goal is always to have more environmentally friendly and efficient vehicles on the road. With diesel replacement fuels like HVO100, we can reduce fleet CO₂ footprints today—complementing our broader electrification efforts.
Since January 2025, all BMW diesel models produced in Germany have been fuelled with 100% HVO100 renewable diesel before delivery. The renewable fuel, supplied by Finnish manufacturer Neste under the brand Neste MY Renewable Diesel™, can cut lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil diesel.
Bernhard Kuhnt, Head of Sales Region Europe, highlighted the importance of diverse powertrain solutions: Fleet customers remain vital to our business, and diesel continues to be a practical choice for many. HVO100 provides an immediate way to cut emissions—particularly for long-distance driving and heavy-duty use cases—while we continue expanding our electric offerings.
BMW has already initiated contractual agreements with major fleet operators in Germany and Italy, adding to the internal BMW Group fleet that has begun collecting real-world data on HVO100 performance.
While the HVO100 initiative targets existing combustion fleets, BMW reiterated its technological openness policy—continuing to advance battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cells alongside renewable-fuel-capable engines.
Dr. Thomas Becker, Head of Policy, External Relations, and Sustainability, called for supportive regulations: Every CO₂-reducing measure across a vehicle’s life cycle should count. Renewable fuels must be formally recognised within EU fleet legislation to accelerate their adoption. The fuels are available—what we need now is pragmatic regulation that enables innovation.
This move aligns with BMW’s wider decarbonisation roadmap, which includes the rollout of sixth-generation eDrive electric technology for the Neue Klasse from 2025 onward, featuring 800V fast-charging and next-generation battery systems.
With the HVO100 diesel initiative and expanding EV lineup, BMW is reinforcing its multi-path sustainability strategy, combining immediate carbon reductions from renewable fuels with long-term zero-emission mobility through electrification.
