Renfe completes HVO trial on Costa Verde tourist service

Renfe completes HVO trial on Costa Verde tourist service SPAIN: National operator Renfe and energy company Repsol have completed an initial trial of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil to power passenger trains on the Costa Verde tourist service in the north of the country. The test run involved a Series 619 locomotive which was drained of conventional diesel fuel before the trial. Repsol supplied 1 000 litres of its ‘Nexa’ renewable HVO blended diesel to the El Berrón depot in Asturias to refuel the locomotive, which was then used to haul the Costa Verde Express, part of Renfe’s Luxury Trains business. This service runs on a six-day and five-night itinerary between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. Renfe said the trial successfully demonstrated the technical viability of HVO in real passenger operations. The two companies signed a protocol to promote HVO as an alternative to fossil-based diesel. Renfe notes that 94% of its passenger demand in 2025 was met through carbon-neutral electric traction, but the remaining 6% of operations, often on rural lines, rely on diesel. The trial forms part of measures under Renfe’s 2024 Sustainability Master Plan to address emissions on remaining unwired routes. See also: Subscribe to gain access to all news Already have a subscription? Log in. Choose your subscription Considering a corporate subscription? Contact us to find out more.