Here’s a quick overview of biodiesel use in the United Kingdom, including how much is used, how it’s supplied, and how policy shapes its role in the UK’s transport fuel mix:
Biodiesel in the UK — Current Use and Trends
Share in UK Transport Fuel
- In 2023, renewable fuels made up about 7.5 % of all road and non-road transport fuels supplied in the UK. Biodiesel accounted for around 39 % of that renewable fuel supply.
- That means biodiesel was a significant component of the UK’s renewable transport fuel mix, though it has fallen from higher shares in earlier years (it was ~67 % of renewable fuel in 2020).
Supply & Volume
- The volume of biodiesel supplied has varied over the last decade:
- Approximately 1,450 million litres equivalent in 2023 (down slightly from 2022).
- In 2025 provisional data shows biodiesel at roughly 519 million litres through October — still a meaningful portion of total biofuel supply.
- Under the UK’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) in 2024, biodiesel supply was about 841 million litres equivalent, a marked drop from prior years, partly due to growth in other renewable fuels like HVO.
Blending Into Diesel
- Biodiesel is blended with conventional diesel so that when you fill up at a typical pump, the diesel can contain a small percentage of biodiesel (e.g., B7, meaning up to 7 % biodiesel). This is a standard way that biodiesel is actually used on the road.
Feedstocks and Sustainability
- A large proportion of UK biodiesel is made from waste feedstocks, particularly used cooking oil (UCO) — in some years up to ~70 % of biodiesel is from UCO.
- Using waste oils gives higher greenhouse-gas savings compared to fuels made from virgin crops.
Policy & Regulation
Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO)
- The RTFO requires UK fuel suppliers to include a set percentage of renewable fuel in transport fuels, and biodiesel has historically been one of the main fuels used to satisfy this requirement.
- The overall renewable fuel share target has risen over time, and diesel suppliers use biodiesel alongside other renewable fuels (e.g., HVO and bioethanol) to meet the obligation.
Market Shifts and Challenges
- Biodiesel use in the UK has fallen in recent years as other renewable fuels like HVO and bioethanol grow, and as policy and market conditions evolve.
- Domestic production has faced challenges: some biodiesel plants have struggled or closed due to competition from cheaper imports and policy uncertainty. For example, a major biodiesel plant in Immingham announced closure due to difficult market conditions.