Skoda and Certa team up to urge diesel drivers to switch to eco-friendly HVO biofuel
Campaign focuses on promoting use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as an alternative to diesel
Overview
Skoda Ireland and Certa have announced a joint campaign focused on promoting awareness and use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as an alternative to diesel for reducing carbon emissions.
Skoda is offering HVO biofuel vouchers to diesel car buyers, varying between €250 and €500 depending on the purchased model, as part of the promotional campaign running in March. HVO, recognized as a second-generation low-carbon biofuel, can replace regular diesel without requiring modifications, resulting in up to a 90% net reduction in CO2 emissions.
Certa, a major fuel supplier in Ireland, is expanding HVO availability by introducing new pumps at various forecourts, aiming to have ten HVO-ready locations by the end of the year. Diesel cars constituted 22% of the 2023 passenger car market, with Skoda holding a 22% market share in diesel car sales. The campaign includes radio, social, and outdoor advertisements to inform diesel vehicle owners about the benefits and availability of HVO as an alternative fuel. Skoda acknowledges the eventual shift to electric cars but emphasizes the transitional role of HVO in reducing carbon footprints.
The Irish government recognizes HVO as a 100% replacement for conventional diesel, offering greenhouse gas reduction benefits. As part of the campaign, Skoda has launched an online vehicle checker for diesel car owners to verify their vehicles' HVO-readiness. Skoda also ensures that all new diesel models produced since mid-2021 are HVO-ready.
Certa aims to facilitate an easy transition to HVO for motorists, emphasizing its benefits as a renewable alternative to diesel. The campaign underscores the well-established advantages of HVO and encourages diesel car owners to consider the switch, recognizing the potential contribution to lowering emissions in the country's transport sector. Certa plans to increase the number of HVO-ready forecourts from three to ten by year-end, with current pricing matching that of diesel.
John Donegan, Brand Director at Škoda Ireland, said: “We are excited to partner with Certa on this campaign, which aims to encourage existing owners or buyers of new diesel cars to use HVO as an alternative to diesel. At Škoda, we recognise the importance of switching to electric cars, but we also recognise that many buyers are still choosing diesel models for a variety of reasons. They may not have access to a home charger, for example, or they may want a car with an extensive range. For these motorists, it makes sense to switch to HVO as the fuel becomes more widely available. We believe diesel car owners will consider this switch if they are made aware of the benefits of HVO and we hope our promotional and marketing campaign will increase awareness among not just Škoda owners, but all owners of diesel cars.”
Andrew Graham, Managing Director of Certa said: “We are delighted to work with Škoda on this campaign. At Certa, our goal is to make it easy for motorists to transition to HVO as a renewable alternative to diesel. HVO’s benefits are well established, so we believe drivers of diesel cars will switch to HVO if they are encouraged to do so and if they understand that it works as a drop-in replacement without the need for modifications. By switching to HVO, these motorists will reduce their own carbon footprint, but they will also help to lower the emissions of the country’s transport sector.
“Most modern diesel cars are HVO-ready, but we would advise all owners to check with the manufacturer of their car to make sure this is the case. Once this is confirmed, all they have to do is fill up their car using our HVO pumps, which we are now installing alongside existing petrol and diesel pumps at a growing number of our forecourts. As part of the campaign, we have announced our plans to widen the availability of HVO by increasing the number of HVO-ready forecourts from three to ten by year end. As it is a new fuel, HVO is usually sold at a slightly higher price than diesel. This is a small price to pay given the benefits, but at Certa we are currently matching the price of HVO to the price of diesel.”
