Lithuanian Railways launches new pilot project to test plant-based diesel HVO100 Read more: https://www.delfi.lt/en/business/lithuanian-railways-launches-new-pilot-project-to-test-plant-based-diesel-hvo100-120133549

Lifestyle Topics Subscribe EN Delfi Business 2025.08.05 17:14 Lithuanian Railways launches new pilot project to test plant-based diesel HVO100 Elta En Lithuanian Railways launches new pilot project to test plant-based diesel HVO100 PHOTO: Bendrovės archyvas The LTG Group, Lithuanian Railways, is embarking on another pilot project, unique in Lithuania, to assess whether paraffinic diesel fuel is suitable and safe for permanent use in railway rolling stock, the company said in a press release on Tuesday. During the 18-month testing, the new advanced diesel will be pumped into three vehicles. Today, a Pesa 730 passenger train powered by more sustainable fuels left Vilnius railway station for Klaipėda, and a TEM TMH shunting locomotive left for Vaidotai. In a few months’ time, LTG Cargo’s Siemens mainline locomotive will also be included in the test. On the platform of Vilnius railway station, which has become an open laboratory, participants, including the Minister of Transport and Communications, Eugenijus Sabutis, were shown how conventional diesel differs from HVO100, made from renewable raw materials: what it looks like, how it burns, and what kind of smoke it emits. Used cooking oil on trains sounds unexpected, but it works. "This fuel is a synergy between industries. We have a food industry with a lot of waste, not knowing what to do with it, and here is a discovery on how to turn it into cleaner diesel. One of the challenges we are setting for railways is to switch to more sustainable fuels. In a tense geopolitical situation, we need more alternatives. And this test proves that we can talk about more than just electricity," says the Minister of Transport and Communications. For this test, the company has tendered for 1 million litres of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which is produced from 100% sustainably sourced renewable raw materials such as used cooking oil and animal fats from food industry waste and residues. The number 100 next to the abbreviation indicates that the fuel is completely pure and does not contain any fossil fuel impurities. "Rail is one of the most sustainable means of transport for both passengers and freight. However, the environmental impact can be reduced even further. Paraffinic, renewable HVO diesel fuel is significantly more sustainable and has up to 90% lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over its life and consumption cycle compared to fossil diesel. This test will evaluate its technical characteristics, environmental impact and impact on rolling stock systems, and after the test we will consider the possibility of its use in other rolling stock owned by LTG Group companies," says Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of the LTG Group. "Fuels made from renewable raw materials are one of the solutions to help the transport sector reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One of the biggest advantages of these fuels is that they are easy to adapt and do not require additional investment in vehicles. We are delighted that Neste’s plant-based diesel HVO100, known to Lithuanian drivers as Neste MY Renewable Diesel, will be tested in railway operations in Lithuania," says Jonė Šeštakauskaitė, Neste’s Sustainability Manager for the Baltic States. LTG’s paraffinic fuel test will be monitored and analysed by a team of scientists from Klaipėda University (KU), led by Prof. D.Sc. Sergejus Lebedevas, from the Department of Marine Engineering, Faculty of Marine Technology and Natural Sciences, KU, and the Marine Research Institute, KU. Scientists will carry out ongoing tests and inspections to assess the chemical composition, technical condition, ecological, energy and other performance indicators of the internal combustion engine components, assemblies, filters and other parts of the fuel system. Their results will also inform the decision on whether to continue and expand the use of HVO diesel in LTG Group operations. "We see the HVO project as a significant professional challenge for the joint team of scientists from the Faculty of Marine Technology and Natural Sciences of Klaipėda University and the Marine Research Institute. While we have a long track record of research into renewable, low-carbon fuels and alternative energy technologies, this project is unique in its scope and importance. The test programme developed in cooperation between KU and LTG is unparalleled in the success of the project: it covers all major types of LTG rolling stock, includes tests under realistic operating conditions in all seasons of the year, enables comparative studies of the energy, environmental and performance characteristics of the engines with conventional diesel fuel and assesses the technological maintenance and service regulations," says the project’s scientific director, KU Professor D.Sc. Sergejus Lebedevas. The researchers’ findings will form the basis for the decision on the application of HVO100 throughout the LTG rolling stock system. "This collaboration with the LTG Group embodies the University’s mission to be a partner for progress in tackling the most important challenges facing society and the country. By scientifically assessing the impact of innovative fuels on transport systems, we are contributing to the creation of a sustainable Lithuanian economy and the achievement of national and European green goals," emphasises KU Rector Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas. Before the pilot project started, the rolling stock fuel tanks, systems and fuel tanks in Vilnius and Klaipėda were thoroughly flushed and cleaned to ensure that no fossil fuel impurities remain that could affect the test results. In Europe, HVO is used as an alternative to conventional diesel by a number of railway companies, with trains and locomotives running on HVO in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. All of these initiatives show the growing commitment of the European rail sector to switch to more sustainable fuels. Source Topics It is forbidden to copy the text of this publication without a written permission from ELTA. Comment Show discussion Recommended Politics Interim SocDem leader Sinkevičius decides not to run for prime minister Politics Šimonytė continues to be seen as most fit for PM’s job – poll Politics Parlt security committee to refer anonymous report on defmin to prosecutors, chair says EN Delfi Business 2025.08.05 17:04 Lithuanian airports serve nearly 689,000 passengers in July, busiest month this year Justina Vaišvilaitė-Braziulienė Elta EN Lithuanian airports serve nearly 689,000 passengers in July, busiest month this year PHOTO: Dainius Labutis | Elta Lithuania’s three airports served nearly 689 thousand passengers in July, an annual increase of 6%, making it the busiest month this year so far, Lithuanian Airports (LTOU) said Tuesday. Last month, Vilnius Airport served nearly 493 thousand passengers or 6.5% more than in July 2024. Kaunas Airport and Palanga Airport handled nearly 153 thousand and 42 thousand passengers, recording annual increases of 4% and 14% respectively. In July, a total of 5,261 flights were operated across the network, with 3,689 in Vilnius, 1,098 in Kaunas and 474 in Palanga. The most popular destinations were London (Luton Airport), Riga, Copenhagen, London (Stansted Airport) and Warsaw. Source Topics It is forbidden to copy the text of this publication without a written permission from ELTA. Comment Show discussion Recommended Politics Two new names among potential PM candidates proposed by LSDP branches Business Lithuanian Railways launches new pilot project to test plant-based diesel HVO100 Business Lithuanian airports serve nearly 689,000 passengers in July, busiest month this year