Rumors of Diesel’s Death Are Premature
In Europe, heavy-truck operators find themselves at a crossroads between different eras. On the one hand, hauliers are already measuring kilometers driven with zero emissions; on the other, they still rely on the reliability of diesel fuel and its time-tested infrastructure.
For Estonian transport companies, whose daily work involves international routes, the most important thing is that the chosen solution works here and now—without ignoring economic realities. As a result, solutions that help balance these competing interests are gaining popularity. What are they?
Numbers Don’t Lie: Diesel Completely Dominates
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), in 2024 diesel-powered models accounted for 95.1% of all new truck registrations in the European Union. This situation has developed historically: diesel engines have long been the most suitable choice for heavy-duty work thanks to their reliability, high torque, and efficiency over long distances.
In Estonia, Transport Administration data shows that in 2025 a total of 648 N3 and N3G category trucks were registered, of which 7 were gas-powered and 3 were electric trucks. Of the 37 N2-category vehicles, 36 were diesel-powered.
In long-haul logistics, the entire operational chain matters: fuel and energy availability, flexibility in changing routes, customer deadlines, weight limits, and the risk of downtime. Diesel has what alternatives often lack—a ready-made infrastructure and predictable usability. In addition, the purchase price of diesel trucks remains competitive compared to alternatives.
Recent statistics show that while the number of gas-powered trucks in Estonia has grown, diesel engines still dominate. This indicates that, for hauliers, there are currently no truly viable alternatives—or that alternative technologies only allow trucks to be used for very specific logistics tasks where charging or refueling options are conveniently located along the route.
Manufacturers Step In
At the same time, truck manufacturers are supporting operators who are looking for alternatives. Although the internal combustion engine already has a history of a century and a half, engineers continue to refine it and other drivetrain components so that each new generation delivers improved efficiency.
One of the latest examples is Scania’s updated Super powertrain system, which enables up to 8% fuel savings compared to the previous generation. According to the manufacturer, this was achieved thanks to a 13-liter engine with efficiency approaching 50%, a new Opticruise gearbox, and a thoroughly redesigned exhaust aftertreatment system that is already prepared for future Euro 7 requirements.
A wider gear ratio range allows the use of new rear axle final drives and driving at lower engine speeds, reducing internal friction and losses while maintaining high torque.
Even a few percent of fuel savings on a truck that constantly operates on highways translates into significant cost reductions—especially when a fleet consists of dozens or hundreds of vehicles. Moreover, optimizing fuel consumption always also means lower emissions.
An Increasingly Popular Alternative
The European Union is steadily tightening CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. From 2025, new trucks must emit 15% less CO₂ compared to 2019 levels, and from 2030 this requirement rises to 45%. As a result, hauliers will be forced in the near future to invest in newer, more efficient technologies and alternative fuels.
Another trend is emerging in Europe: a shift toward alternative diesel fuels such as FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) or HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil). According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, HVO100 diesel can reduce lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional diesel.
“Sometimes high-quality renewable diesel (HVO) and biodiesel (FAME) are confused with each other, but they are different fuels. The biggest differences come from their chemical composition, performance, and storage life. Neste has introduced high-quality renewable diesel Neste MY to the Estonian filling station network,” explains Joni Pihlström, Vice President of B2B Sales, Marketing, and Services at Neste.
According to Pihlström, Neste’s renewable diesel (HVO100) is chemically similar to fossil diesel and can be blended with it in any ratio. “It complies with the EN15940 paraffinic diesel standard and has excellent cold properties down to –30 °C,” he adds.
This allows hauliers to meet increasingly strict environmental requirements while retaining their existing technical base, as many manufacturers’ diesel engines are adapted for HVO use. This is particularly important in Estonia, where competitiveness depends on the ability to quickly shift between countries, terminals, and customers.
Scania notes that HVO fuel is suitable for use in their Super engines, and some versions are also certified for FAME biodiesel. In the latter case, CO₂ emissions can be reduced by up to 66%, due to the fuel’s higher hydrogen and lower carbon content. Both FAME and HVO are renewable fuels. For example, HVO diesel can be produced from used cooking oil, animal fats, food industry waste, and other bio-based materials.
The number of filling stations offering HVO100 diesel in Europe is growing rapidly. At the beginning of 2026, the UTA Edenred service payment network alone offered HVO100 at more than 1,800 stations across 15 countries. This allows hauliers renewing their aging fleets to choose modern trucks with engines compatible with HVO100, while simultaneously reducing both fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
