Both SCR and EGR are used in the aftertreatment of the exhausts. The attributes of biodiesel fuel lead to an increased proportion of ash in the exhaust fumes, leading to shorter service intervals and a slightly increased consumption of fuel. Both fuel and AdBlue consumption may increase by 10% in an engine run on 100 percent biodiesel.

Pure biodiesel always produces lower carbon dioxide emissions compared with conventional diesel; precisely how much lower depends on how the biodiesel has been produced. Certain types of biodiesel can give a carbon dioxide reduction of 80% or more, Scania notes.

Scania recently closed a deal with Austrian hauler Nothegger in which one of the decisive factors was the potential for the firm to save money. In Austria, biodiesel attracts tax concessions due to the lower carbon dioxide emissions it produces.

Biodiesel use is uncomplicated; drivers simply need to fill up and drive away. If they find themselves somewhere where no biodiesel is available, they can just mix whatever remains in their tanks with conventional diesel. However, one condition is that biodiesel engines must always be serviced as though they were being continually operated on biodiesel.

Scania is presently offering 17 engines in its Euro-6 range, of which four can be run on 100% biodiesel. Scania says it will continue to introduce additional biodiesel engines with different output levels and in different sizes. All of Scania’s Euro 6-certified diesel engines are, even in their basic versions, certified for biodiesel blends of up to 10%.