HVO Aurora project: Citroën Berlingo completes european tour in Vigo

As we reported a few weeks ago, the Stellantis group has launched a major initiative to demonstrate the viability of alternative fuels in the context of the ecological transition. At the heart of this strategy is the HVO Aurora project, a real-world experiment featuring a Citroën Berlingo. This iconic vehicle of the French brand has just reached a symbolic milestone in its European tour by returning to its birthplace: the Vigo production center in Spain, where it is assembled. This continental journey aims to prove the effectiveness of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel in reducing CO2 emissions based on a "well-to-wheel" approach.

The use of this renewable fuel, produced from used cooking oils and animal fats, transforms a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle into a key player in sustainable mobility. By visiting the Vigo plant, the Berlingo does more than just complete a geographical loop; it illustrates the ability of current industrial tools to meet tomorrow's environmental challenges. This project, born from internal innovation at Stellantis, highlights the importance of the circular economy, where waste becomes a valuable energy resource to power our daily travels.

Technological collaboration for environmental precision

The success of the HVO Aurora project relies on a strategic alliance between Stellantis and the French company SP3H. This company, specialized in designing smart sensors for efficient fuels, provides an essential technological component to the experiment. The primary goal of this partnership is to monitor and estimate, in real-time, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to onboard analytical systems, the program can precisely identify the quality of the HVO used and calculate its exact environmental impact for every kilometer driven.

This constant monitoring allows for the scientific validation of the benefits of this synthetic fuel. Unlike theoretical approaches, the HVO Aurora project provides concrete data on actual vehicle use across various driving conditions throughout Europe. This initiative originated from Stellantis' internal Start*Up program, a platform that encourages group employees to propose innovative solutions to accelerate decarbonization. By integrating SP3H technologies, Stellantis demonstrates that modernizing the existing fleet is possible without massive investments in new infrastructure, offering an agile and verifiable response to environmental transparency requirements.

A strategic alternative in light of new European directions

The European regulatory landscape has seen significant acceleration following the announcements made on December 16th. Within this new legislative framework, the HVO Aurora project takes on even greater strategic importance. Europe is increasingly recognizing the need to integrate "well-to-wheel" emission reduction solutions, moving beyond just tailpipe measurements. For many users, whether professionals or individuals, an immediate transition to full electric mobility can represent a major logistical or financial challenge. HVO fuel thus appears as an ideal transitional solution, offering the same range as traditional diesel while drastically reducing the carbon footprint.

This technology meets the needs of those seeking a significant reduction in their emissions who may not yet be able to switch to an equivalent electric vehicle, whether due to a lack of charging infrastructure or budgetary constraints. The Citroën Berlingo used in this trial proves that decarbonization can be immediate and accessible. By utilizing existing distribution networks, HVO avoids the premature obsolescence of internal combustion vehicles that are still perfectly functional. It is a pragmatic approach that reconciles the European Union's ecological imperatives with the economic realities of motorists, ensuring fluid and environmentally friendly mobility.

Universal compatibility for an immediate transition

The conclusion of this stage in Vigo reinforces the message carried by Stellantis and Citroën: the technology to reduce our climate impact is already available. The program in which the Citroën Berlingo is involved shows that electrification is not the only path to clean mobility. One of the major advantages of this solution lies in its simplicity of implementation. Indeed, the entire current range of Citroën and broader Stellantis vehicles is already compatible with HVO diesel (meeting the EN15940 standard). This full compatibility ensures a frictionless transition for new buyers.

More importantly, this commitment to renewable fuels extends beyond new vehicles. Many Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel models currently on the road can use HVO without any mechanical modifications. This means that millions of drivers could potentially reduce their environmental impact overnight, simply by switching the type of fuel they use at the pump. The HVO Aurora project thus validates an inclusive decarbonization strategy, where every existing vehicle can become a lever for change, confirming Citroën's commitment to providing sustainable and accessible mobility solutions for everyone.