AS 24, the leading European distributor of Diesel for HGVs, offers transport professionals a range of high quality diesel fuel (diesel, red diesel, low temperature diesel (*)) adapted to their needs. (*) depending on the season

What is Diesel?

Diesel is primarily an energy source used in combustion engines.

It is also a technical fluid essential for the vehicle to work properly. It meets a specific set of requirements:

  • combustive properties
  • lubricating quality
  • sulphur content (environmental impact)
  • properties of oxidation resistance (stability over time)

It is a product regulated by European legislation:

  • the EN 590 standard defines the quality of motor and red diesel
  • EN 14214 defines the quality of biodiesels that can be incorporated into diesel fuels

Finally, diesel is a formulated product containing many components:

  • Over 93% of fossil hydrocarbons
  • 1L of additives for every 1,000L
  • 7% of biodiesel or less
  • Complies with regulations
  • Depends on distributors

The characteristics of Diesel

In accordance with European regulations, “standard” diesel can contain up to 7% by volume of biodiesel.

Main specifications of their impacts

  • Cetane number 51 minimum => Impacts the quality of combustion (start-up, noise, pollutants).
  • Cold resistance (Winter quality) => Impacts engine start-up in winter.
  • Low sulphur content => Secures the operation of the catalytic converter, the particulate filter and the reduction of pollutants.
  • Resistance to oxidation and storage stability over time => Impacts the quality of combustion, fouling of storage tanks and engines.
  • Lubricant qualities => Impacts the lifespan of various engine components (injection system, etc.)

The cloud point of Diesel is between October and March (-5°C) and between April and September (+ 5°C). It corresponds to the temperature at which the first crystals form in the Diesel.

The filterability limit temperature for Diesel is between October and March (-15°C) and between April and September (0°C). It corresponds to the temperature at which the first crystals clog the Diesel filter.

The different types of Diesel

Red Diesel or ORD

In France, since November 2011, legislation requires all non-road mobile machinery and refrigerated truck-mounted units to consume Diesel with a sulphur content of less than 10 mg/kg. As a result, they can no longer use domestic heating oil (Gasoil) and must be supplied with Red Diesel.

The ORD, coloured red, meets EN 590 standard. It offers greater prospects for profitability than Diesel because it opens up the right to more advantageous taxation.

Other European countries also use an untaxed Diesel for refrigeration units such as Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland and Spain. The AS 24 network distributes this Diesel in all these countries.

 

HVO 100: A 100% renewable fuel


AS24 supports you in the energy transition and helps you reduce your impact on the environment.


What is HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil II)?


This 100% renewable fuel is an alternative to traditional diesel and is made from bio-sourced raw materials, residual products and waste. It has the same chemical structure as traditional fuel and can be used completely on its own or as part of a blend. You can also alternate between it and your usual fuel when filling up your diesel fuel tank.TotalEnergies HVO 100 meets the EN15940 standard (XTL synthetic diesel) and is compatible with most diesel engines.


The advantages of HVO:

  • Replaces your usual fuel
  • 100% renewable origin
  • Reduction of CO2 emissions and pollutants

Diesel facing the cold: advice for professionals vehicles

At the start of winter

In cold weather

  1. Optimise your supply to fill up with Winter Diesel before the arrival of the first cold.
  2. Check your operating manuals for your vehicle’s specific provisions for winter.
  3. Use a lubricating oil that meets the manufacturer's winter recommendations.
  4. Install insulation on the overhead pipes and on the flow metre to protect them from the cold.
  5. Privilege underground storage to storage above the ground. Possibly consider a mobile tank to be protected from the cold.
  1. Check your tire pressure regularly.
  2. Check the condition of the filters in your vehicles (no water and paraffins) and your storage units. Clean them if necessary.
  3. Let the engine run a few minutes before going on the road and drive at moderate speeds for the first kilometres. This will allow the engine’s gradual increase in temperature.
  4. A full tank will be sensitive to the cold at night: consider refuelling at the end of the day.
  5. Park vehicles away from wind and cold to minimise thermal losses. If vehicles cannot be sheltered, store them side by side to limit the impact of the wind.

Diesel made easy

A network of Diesel stations for road professionals

AS 24 facilitates your supply of Diesel and Red Diesel.

You have an infrastructure that is adapted to HGVs at your disposal:

  • wide lanes for easier manoeuvring.
  • high-flow nozzle for Diesel (10 m3/hour).
  • full “double tank” for faster refuelling.
  • Diesel and ORD at the same pump to optimise station downtime.

The management of Diesel quality at AS 24

The quality control of its Diesels is a fundamental element for AS 24 in order to ensure that their customers get a quality Diesel at each fill-up.

A quality control is carried out by TotalEnergies in refineries and depots according to strict procedures. AS 24 subsequently performs analysis at its service stations when the quality of its products is questioned.