SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 18, 2025 – Not every sustainability story starts with a brand-new vehicle. Sometimes it starts with what’s already on the road—and a fuel swap that can make everyday driving feel a little less heavy on the climate. That’s the idea behind the HVO Aurora Trial, a European tour featuring a Citroën Berlingo running on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), a renewable diesel made from waste cooking oil and animal fats.
What the HVO Aurora Trial is trying to prove
Stellantis and partner SPH3 are using this tour to demonstrate a practical message: you can potentially reduce well-to-wheel CO₂ emissions without changing your vehicle, your fleet, or your infrastructure—because the fuel can be used in existing compatible diesel vehicles. The Berlingo is positioned as the “flagship” vehicle for the program, and it recently returned to visit the Vigo production center as part of the wider European route.
For consumers, this is the interesting shift: it’s not a futuristic concept car story—it’s an experiment about what can be done today, with real cars and real routes.
Why a Berlingo and a Ducato make sense for this kind of test
The tour is being carried out in a Citroën Berlingo and a Fiat Ducato, which is a very intentional choice. These are the kinds of vehicles that do a lot of “ordinary work” across Europe—family errands, deliveries, tradespeople schedules, and weekend road trips—where fuel decisions have daily impact. The program’s message is that renewable fuels from circular sources could become an immediate alternative for people who still rely on diesel.
It also highlights a broader reality: Europe’s transition isn’t one-size-fits-all. Not everyone can go electric overnight, and many drivers and businesses want solutions that don’t require a full reset.
The smart-sensor layer: making sustainability measurable
A key part of the program is tracking. Working with SPH3 (a company focused on smart sensors for smart fuels), the HVO Aurora Program aims to monitor and document HVO usage, estimating CO₂ emissions in real time. The point isn’t just “this should be better,” but “this can be measured”—helping make cleaner fuels feel more verifiable and less like marketing.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a sustainability claim is real-world meaningful, this measurement-first approach is exactly the kind of detail that builds trust.
Compatibility: the big question most drivers will ask
According to the information provided, all Stellantis diesel vehicles currently on sale are fully compatible with HVO diesel fuel, and many Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel vehicles already on the road can also use it without modification—when the fuel meets the EN15940 standard. That matters because it positions HVO as a “no new car required” option for people who want to reduce their footprint but aren’t ready (or able) to switch vehicles right now.
Editorial extra: Mini FAQ for everyday drivers
Q: What is HVO, in plain language?
A: It’s a renewable diesel fuel produced from waste sources like used cooking oil and animal fats.
Q: Do I need to change my vehicle to use it?
A: The project’s message is that many compatible diesel vehicles can use it without modification, and Stellantis states current diesel models are compatible when the fuel meets the right standard.
Q: Is this meant to replace electrification?
A: The trial frames HVO as an immediate, complementary option—especially for people and businesses using existing vehicles.
Q: Why the focus on “well-to-wheel” emissions?
A: Because it looks at the full cycle—fuel production through vehicle operation—rather than only what comes out of the tailpipe.
A “starter idea” born inside Stellantis
Another notable detail is where this came from: the HVO Aurora Trial originated within Stellantis’ internal Star*Up program, emphasizing employee-driven innovation. It’s a reminder that some of the most useful mobility ideas aren’t always flashy—they’re the ones that quietly remove friction and make better choices easier to adopt.
Learn more about the Citroën Berlingo on Citroën’s official site at https://www.citroen.de/models/berlingo.html. (Citroën)