February 2022 – It’s full speed ahead for Kohler Engines and its commitment to lessen the environmental impact of its engines. The company recently approved use of EN15940- compliant Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils, or HVOs, for all its diesel engines – either pure or as a blend with conventional diesel. The approval came after intensive laboratory and on-thefield testing by Kohler’s engineering team. The group’s diesel engines do not require any kind of modification or specific upgrade to use HVO. However, use of exhaust gas after-treatment systems will still be necessary where already required. HVO is a renewable paraffinic fuel also known under the names "synthetic diesel” and “renewable diesel”. It is produced with plant or animal oils derived from the residues of the meat and fish industries. Since it is obtained from organic material, HVO – unlike biodiesel – does not use agricultural resources or contributes to deforestation. It can be used wherever diesel fuel is used today. A reduction in overall CO2 emissions of up to 90% can be obtained depending on the raw material employed in HVO production. What’s more, compared to most conventional diesel fuels, HVO has an exceptionally low sulfur content and its use leads to lower vehicle exhaust emissions. Synthetic diesel is widely available in-service stations across northern Europe and is taking hold as the next-generation fuel. It is 100% fossil free and 100% recycled. HVO fuel can be distributed, handled, and stored just like any conventional fuel. Pure or blended, it can be used in any Kohler engine, whether liquid-cooled from the KDI and KDW lines or air-cooled from the KD line. In addition, no variations to the maintenance schedule are required and normal European warranty conditions apply.

“We are witnessing a growing interest from customers for use of synthetic fuel (HVO) and other renewable fuels. eFuels are especially interesting, not only for their positive environmental impact but also because they reach performance levels comparable to diesel fuels,” stated Luigi Arnone, Director of Diesel Engine Engineering at Kohler, adding that "HVO is a stable fuel that doesn’t require any engine modifications or additional maintenance.” The main differences between European diesel fuel (standard EN590) and HVO are listed in the table below. 

Table - EN590 Diesel and HVO fuel compared

HVO fuel has a lower density, meaning that the mass of fuel injected per cycle is lower than that of EN590 diesel, reducing power and torque performance by 1 and 5%. This effect is partly compensated by a higher cetane number (75 for HVO vs. 51 for EN590 Diesel), which translates into positive effects on combustion. Use of renewable fuels is one of the essential requirements to reach global decarbonization targets. With approval of HVO fuels for all its diesel models, Kohler is making its contribution to a more sustainable future.

About Kohler Engines
Kohler has been manufacturing engines for more than a century and has continued to grow its product portfolio ever since its inception to increasingly bring ease and convenience to the lives of end users worldwide. The company offers a comprehensive range of diesel, petrol and gas engines up to 140 hp of power – adopted globally by machine and equipment manufacturers in the most important sectors of industry (construction, earth-moving, agriculture, generators and gardening). For more details, please visit kohlerengines.com

About Kohler Co.
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies comprised of more than 40,000 associates.
With more than 50 manufacturing locations worldwide, Kohler is a global leader in the design, innovation and manufacture of kitchen and bath products; luxury cabinetry, tile and lighting; engines, generators, and clean energy solutions; and owner/operator of two, fivestar hospitality and golf resort destinations in Kohler, Wisconsin, and St. Andrews, Scotland. Kohler’s Whistling Straits golf course recently hosted the 43rd Ryder Cup. The company also develops solutions to address pressing issues, such as clean water and sanitation, for underserved communities around the world to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. For more details, please visit kohlercompany.com.