D1 Oils plc and Stiller Group, one of the largest privately owned transport and distribution companies in the UK, have successfully completed a six-month test programme running Scania trucks on 100% biodiesel. A total of 19 of Stiller’s Scania trucks have covered approximately one million road miles running B100 biodiesel. The soya-based biodiesel used for the tests was exclusively provided by D1 and tested and certified at D1’s Teesside facility.

Engine performance during the test was jointly monitored by Scania and Stiller. The collected data shows no change in engine reliability or vehicle performance, and only a minimal reduction in miles per gallon performance compared to conventional diesel alternatives.

"Scania diesel engines with unit injectors from the 4-series onwards may be run on 100% EN14214-compliant FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) fuel, such as the soy-based biofuel used in this trial," comments Roger McCarthy, UK Sales Director for Scania (Great Britain) Limited. "With interest in biofuels increasing in recent times, Scania is delighted to have been involved in this successful trial with Stiller Group and D1 Oils."

“We are keen to use more biofuel to enable us to reduce emissions and we are very pleased with the results of this trial with D1 and Scania,” said Ian Marshall, Managing Director of Stiller Group. “The successful use of B100 shows that you can run a truck on carbon neutral fuel that only emits the CO2 that was absorbed from the atmosphere when the crops used to make it were growing. Stiller Group’s customers whose products have been transported using the vehicles are very supportive of the project.”

Commenting the trial, Elliott Mannis, Chief Executive Officer of D1, said: “This trial has been an excellent opportunity to prove the performance of D1 biodiesel with a UK road haulage company using trucks from a significant globally recognised manufacturer. We are very pleased with both the performance of the fuel and the way in which our fuel testing and technical customer care has ensured that Stiller can run their trucks very satisfactorily on 100% biodiesel. The trial demonstrates the potential for the haulage industry to go beyond the UK’s national 5% biofuel blend planned for 2010 under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.”