This Technical Report explains the requirements and test methods for marketed and delivered paraffinic diesel from synthesis (XTL) or hydrotreatment (HVO) and of blends thereof with up to 7%(V/V) of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) according to European fuel specifications. It provides background information to judge the final text of the European Standard EN 15940 and gives guidance and explanations to the producers, blenders, marketers and users of paraffinic automotive diesel.

Paraffinic diesel is a high quality, clean burning fuel with virtually no sulfur and aromatics. Paraffinic diesel fuel can be used in diesel engines, also to reduce regulated emissions. In order to have the greatest possible emissions reduction, a specific calibration may be necessary. Paraffinic diesel fuel can also offer a meaningful contribution to the target of increased non-crude derived and/or renewable content in transportation fuel pool.

For general diesel engine warranty, paraffinic automotive diesel fuel may need a validation step to confirm the compatibility of the fuel with the vehicle, which for some existing engines may still need to be done. The vehicle manufacturer needs to be consulted before use.

NOTE 1 This document is directly related to the development of EN 15940 and will be updated once further publications take place.

NOTE 2 Paraffinic diesel is also used as a blending component in automotive diesel fuel. In that case, composition and properties of the final blends are defined by relevant fuel specification standards.

NOTE 3 For the purposes of this document, the term “% (m/m)” and “% (V/V)” are used to represent the mass fraction, μ, and the volume fraction, φ, respectively.