Do you see “XTL” on your fuel cap? Here’s what it means

Some Škoda cars have the abbreviation “XTL” near the fuel tank – this means they can run on a much eco-friendlier fuel. In fact, this fuel is already in the tank when the car leaves the factory. Find out what XTL means and how Škoda Auto is taking another step toward sustainability.

10. 6. 2025 Green Future

Škoda Auto is working hard to reduce the CO₂ emissions of its vehicles. Besides electrifying its model lineup, the company is also exploring other solutions – one of them is using alternative fuels in combustion engine cars. Škoda diesel models can now use a synthetic diesel fuel called HVO, which can reduce CO₂ emissions across the fuel and vehicle lifecycle by up to 90%.

“The key is how the fuel is made. HVO diesel is mostly produced from used cooking oils and waste vegetable oils. These plants absorbed CO₂ from the atmosphere by photosynthesis while growing, and that same CO₂ is released again when the fuel is burned,” explains Martin Řepka from Škoda Auto Technical Development team.

Škoda Kodiaq

Škoda Octavia

Škoda Superb

Cars that can use HVO have a label inside the fuel tank cover or around the filler neck itself. It will say both B7 (standard diesel) and XTL. If you see XTL, you’re good to go – fill up with HVO without worries. Tests have also shown that HVO can be used without any issues in most Škoda diesel cars manufactured since 2015 onwards.

If your car doesn’t have the XTL label but you’re interested in trying HVO, check with your local Škoda dealer. Škoda cannot officially confirm compatibility until it has tested the specific model and verified it meets emissions regulations. “However, technical difficulties, such as degradation of rubber seals or fuel system components do not occur when using HVO, unlike ethanol-based fuels. Řepka emphasises the fuel's trouble-free nature.

HVO is not biodiesel, it lasts for years and protects your car

The abbreviation HVO stands for hydrotreated vegetable oil. This fuel is produced from waste oil, most commonly used cooking oils and waste vegetable oils, as well as animal fats. In the hydrogenation process, the original compound is transformed with the help of hydrogen into a new, more stable one. "According to tests, HVO can last in the tank for more than 10 years without degrading and does not damage the fuel system in any way," explains Řepka. So, if you need to park your car for an extended period of time, filling it with HVO is a great choice.

This is what fundamentally sets HVO apart from the better-known biodiesel. Biodiesel is relatively unstable and tends to degrade over time. That’s why Škoda vehicles are only approved to use diesel fuel with a maximum bio-component content of 7%, known as B7. Other alternatives, such as B10 or pure biodiesel, are not suitable for these vehicles because their fuel systems are not designed to handle them. Moreover, biodiesel is often produced from crops grown on conventional farmland, whereas HVO does not compete with food production for agricultural space.

Compared to conventional diesel and especially biodiesel, HVO offers several significant advantages. It is a clear, odourless fuel with a high cetane number—70, whereas standard diesel fuel typically has a cetane number of 51. The higher the cetane number, the better the ignition quality of the fuel in the engine. HVO also contains no sulphur, aromatic hydrocarbons, or heavy hydrocarbons with high boiling points, which means it produces fewer harmful emissions. This results in benefits such as less frequent regeneration of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and reduced buildup of engine deposits.

Interest is growing, availability varies by country

HVO can be refuelled at regular fuel stations, but its availability depends on the individual markets. The fuel is widespread in Norway, Sweden, and especially Finland, where it accounted for as much as 43% of consumption in 2023. Interest is also growing in Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Austria, and it is being promoted in Spain and Italy, where it is even cheaper than conventional fossil diesel. Otherwise, drivers usually pay a bit more for HVO compared to standard diesel, with prices often comparable to premium diesel fuels (which themselves sometimes contain up to 30% HVO instead of 7% biodiesel).

In the home country of the Škoda car manufacturer, the Czech Republic, there are about twenty stations where HVO can be refuelled. In Germany, for example, the fuel has only been available since April 2024, as the necessary legislation was not in place before then. In any case, the network of service stations offering HVO is now expanding rapidly. One advantage is that if HVO is not available, drivers can always simply refuel with conventional diesel.