An increasing number of transport firms that are planning to introduce zero emission HGVs and LCVs are using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a transitional fuel to help them lower CO2 emissions.
HVO, which does not require any engine or fuelling infrastructure alterations to be carried out, is a drop-in, non-toxic, fossil-free biofuel, produced from vegetable oil, tallow or used cooking oil.
Manufacturers believe the fuel – designed to be used with the latest Euro-6 vehicles – can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%.
For example, Michelin said it will unlock a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions across its Stoke-on-Trent-based logistics fleet this year, after securing 400,000 litres of HVO to use in place of diesel between now and the end of the year.
The fuel is estimated to save 1,024 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere and has been sourced through Crown Oil.
It will be used to power 50 HGVs operated by long-time 3PL partner Great Bear, a division of Culina Group, which delivers new tyres and retreads from Michelin’s Stoke-based European Distribution Centre and Remix factory to distribution hubs nationwide – covering 3.4 million miles a year.
The decision supports the company’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with the plan to achieve an initial 50 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, versus 2010 levels.
Earlier this year, Michelin began the first phase of its electric vehicle transition programme within the van fleet operated by its Services and Solutions division, taking delivery of 17 Vauxhall Combo vans.
They are part of plans to move the division’s 54-strong fleet to electric by 2026.
John Howe, Managing Director, Michelin Tyre, said: “From a practical perspective, the fact it (HVO) can be used as a drop-in fuel, and was available immediately, made this an easy decision to make.
“We’re now topping up our bunkered fuel facility with 35,000-litres of HVO at a time, and every tanker load translates into a 2.62 per cent reduction in our fleet’s annual CO2 emissions.
“By year-end, we’ll have reached our initial target of a 30 per cent saving.”
Meanwhile, Cemex has introduced its first HVO-powered vehicle to support its Future in Action programme – the driver for Cemex to become a carbon net zero business by 2050.
The vehicle is operating out of the company’s Tilbury cement plant, close to the River Thames, and serving the London and South East building and construction markets.
Dave Hart, Director of Supply Chain for the UK, said: “HVO biofuel provides us with the opportunity for us to reduce carbon emissions, acting as a transitional fuel, whilst we continue to assess other emerging technologies such as electric and hydrogen power.”
Also, 20 Biffa-operated waste and recycling vehicles, which collect from residents across Winchester, have recently made the change from diesel to HVO.
It is estimated that switching to HVO fuel will reduce carbon emissions by at least 80%, a saving of more than 600 tonnes of carbon every year.
This change means the waste service joins Winchester City Council’s Park and Ride, operated by Stagecoach, as a service run on HVO fuel.
Biffa said by next year, its target is for 10% of vehicles to be alternatively fuelled, and it aims to stop buying fossil fuel vehicles altogether by 2030.
Cllr Kelsie Learney, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency at Winchester City Council, said: “HVO reduces the city council’s carbon emissions significantly and allows us to be greener faster.
“It’s a big step towards carbon zero before improvements to the local electric infrastructure allow us to power a full electric fleet.”
According to London Gatwick, the airport has cut carbon emissions from its diesel vehicles by 90% by swapping the fuel for HVO.
The switch means Gatwick will save more than 950 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
All 300 diesel vehicles – 85% of London Gatwick’s fleet – will now be powered by HVO until they are retired from use.
They will then be replaced by electric vehicles as part of the airport’s sustainability policy, Decade of Change.
Some of the vehicles that are now powered by HVO include all the airport’s fire engines, airside operations vehicles, snow ploughs and buses that pick passengers up from the long-stay car parks.
An extensive trial concluded that HVO had no impact on the performance of the vehicles, meaning the fire engines still have the capability to respond to call outs anywhere on the airfield within three minutes.
In 2023, London Gatwick accelerated its commitment to be net zero for its own Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030.
Steve Kelso, Head of Engineering, London Gatwick, said: “The implementation of HVO to power our 300 diesel vehicles is an exciting milestone for London Gatwick’s sustainability journey and a big step in our fleet transition.
“It is vital we invest in sustainably sourced HVO to reduce emissions in all areas as soon as possible on our journey to reach net zero for our own Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.”
In addition, DSV has transferred its entire final mile fleet in London over to HVO fuel at the same time as trialling CNG and electric vehicles at several locations.
The company has also installed an HVO bunker at its Purfleet site, which can hold 30,000 litres of the fuel.
It said implementing the use of HVO fuel will contribute up to a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions, while providing the same quality and service and it would be cost neutral for its customers.
John Hawksworth, DSV senior director, said: “The potential reductions in net greenhouse gas emissions demonstrate how effective HVO fuel can be for driving sustainability within our operations.”
Therefore, alternative fuels such as HVO can offer a quick and practical and way for operators to reduce emissions in their existing fleets as they plan their full transition to battery electric or hydrogen trucks.
