Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Swiss Federal Railways feel rising diesel costs and assess renewable fuel
Rising diesel prices are increasing SBB’s costs, the Swiss railway says.
Its passenger trains are fully electric, but it still operates about 1,000 diesel vehicles, including shunting locomotives, maintenance machines and emergency trains.
These vehicles are needed in places without overhead power lines or when the electricity supply is switched off for work.
SBB orders nine million litres of diesel a year for its rail refuelling stations, though it has not disclosed the extra cost from recent price rises.
Since 2024, it has blended standard diesel with 25 percent HVO, a fuel made from treated vegetable oils that could cut rail vehicles’ CO₂ emissions by up to 25 percent.
SBB is considering HVO made entirely from plant waste and aims to replace older diesel locomotives with electric ones over time.
The railway says its tanks are well supplied and that it considers supply security when choosing suppliers and fuels.
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) says rising diesel prices are putting significant pressure on its budget.
The railway operates around 1,000 diesel-powered rail vehicles, including shunting locomotives, construction vehicles and emergency trains.
SBB orders about nine million litres of diesel each year for its roughly 70 rail fueling stations.
Since 2024, SBB has blended 25 percent renewable HVO into standard diesel and is assessing whether to buy fuel made entirely from plant residues.
The company says its stations are well stocked and that supply security is considered when purchasing fuel.
- Who
- Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).
- What
- SBB says higher diesel prices are affecting its budget and is assessing whether to increase its use of renewable diesel.
- When
- The article was published on 10 November 2026. SBB has blended HVO into standard diesel since 2024.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- Diesel prices have risen, and SBB is seeking to move away from fossil diesel over the longer term.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SBB began blending 25 percent HVO into standard diesel.
Diesel car owners paid 37 percent more per litre than a year earlier, according to the article.
Watson reported that SBB was assessing whether to source HVO100, diesel made entirely from plant residues.
- Diesel-powered vehicles
- Around 1,000
- Annual diesel orders
- 9 million litres
- Rail fueling stations
- Around 70
- Renewable blend
- 25 percent HVO since 2024
- HVO100
- Diesel made from 100 percent plant residues
What people are saying
We feel the increased diesel prices strongly in the corresponding budget
These vehicles are often used precisely where there is no overhead line or where it has to be switched off, for example for construction work