EU: Fuels
Overview
The Fuel Quality Directive [6205] establishes minimum quality requirements for automotive fuels, including limits on:
- sulfur
- metallic emissions (lead, manganese)
- hydrocarbons (olefins, benzene, aromatics)
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
- vapor pressure of summer gasoline
The fuel specifications also have the objective to ensure that fuels are compatible with engines and aftertreatment systems by limiting the blending of certain types of biofuels. In diesel, the content of biodiesel is limited to 7% and in gasoline, the content of ethanol is limited to 10%.
In 2009, Fuel Quality Directive adopted a requirement to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of transport fuels by at least 6% by 2020 [6206]. In 2023, the Fuel Quality Directive was amended by the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) [6207][6208][6209]. This amendment removed the greenhouse gas intensity reduction target from the Fuel Quality Directive and introduced via RED III a 2030 target for transport fuels and energy carriers of a minimum of 29% renewable energy use or a reduction in greenhouse gas intensity of 14.5%.
These mandates as well as additional fuel quality requirements are stated in standards developed by the European Standards Organization (CEN). The first set of standards for automotive fuels, ratified by CEN on 16 March 1993, had been adopted by all Member States by September 1993. Standards that cover automotive fuels quality include:
- EN 590 for diesel fuel with up to 7% FAME (B7)
- EN 14214 for FAME as a blendstock in diesel or for use as B100 in engines
- EN 16709 for diesel fuel with FAME between B14-B20 or B24-B30
- EN 16734 for diesel fuel with FAME up to B10
- EN 15940 for paraffinic diesel fuel from synthesis or hydrotreatment with up to 7% FAME
- EN 228 for gasoline, with ethanol up to E5 or E10
- EN 15293 for E85
- EN 15376 for ethanol as a blendstock in gasoline
- EN 589 for automotive LPG
- EN 16723-2 for natural gas as an automotive fuel
The standards are periodically updated to reflect changes in specifications, such as the mandatory reductions in sulfur content.
To provide options for diesel fuel in different climates, the EN 590 standard specifies six Temperate Climate Grades of diesel fuel (Grade A...F) which differ in the CFPP and density limits. In addition, there are five Arctic Classes of diesel fuel (Class 0...4) characterized by different properties. Each country shall detail requirements for a summer and winter grade and may also include intermediate or regional grades as justified by national climate conditions.
Sulfur Content in Diesel Fuel. The following are the most important steps in the evolution of EU diesel fuel specifications:
- Effective 1994.10, a maximum sulfur limit of 0.2% (wt.) was introduced for all gas oils, including diesel fuel. The minimum cetane number was 49.
- 1996.10: A maximum sulfur limit of 0.05% (wt.) = 500 ppm for diesel fuel.
- 2000.01: A maximum sulfur limit of 350 ppm and cetane number of 51 for diesel fuel.
- 2005.01: A maximum sulfur limit of 50 ppm for diesel fuel for highway vehicles. “Sulfur-free” 10 ppm sulfur diesel fuel must be available.
- 2009.01: A maximum sulfur limit of 10 ppm (“sulfur-free”) for diesel fuel for highway vehicles.
Sulfur content in fuels for mobile nonroad vehicles—including mobile machinery, agricultural and forestry tractors, as well as inland waterway vessels and recreational craft—is limited at 1000 ppm from 2008, and at 10 mg/kg from 2011 (certain flexibilities applied).