Following a successful four-month trial earlier this year, DPD has already begun switching its 1,600-strong HGV fleet to the renewable fuel and aims to convert 60% of its vehicles within 2022 – reducing emissions by 70,282 metric tons compared to 2021. The remaining vehicles will switch by the end of 2023. The sustainable replacement fuel will be delivered directly to DPD’s on-site tanks nationwide by existing bulk fuel supplier Essar.
HGVs present a different challenge
Justin Pegg, chief operating officer at DPD, said: “This is a very significant step in the journey to decarbonising our entire fleet and achieving our aim of being the most sustainable parcel delivery company in the UK. While we are well on the way to electrifying our delivery van fleet, the HGV linehaul fleet has always been a very different challenge.
“We have assessed a range of options and it is clear now that this is the most effective and practical way to make a real difference. While there may be different solutions in years to come, we must start this process now by making our existing vehicles significantly cleaner.”
Carlos Rojas, head of marketing and logistics at Essar, said: “Essar is committed to playing a leading role in the decarbonization of the UK economy and manufacturing the fuels of the future in a lower carbon way. As a key partner of choice, we have worked seamlessly to provide integrated energy, infrastructure, and logistical solutions to DPD nationally for over 10 years and are proud to be its strategic supply partner as it decarbonises its fleet.”
A direct drop-in replacement for diesel, Gd+ HVO is the lowest-emission diesel replacement fuel available made from renewable feedstocks and contains a specifically designed performance additive to ensure cleanliness and optimum combustion throughout the fuel system. It is defined as renewable and sustainable under the EU’s REDII legislation
Using Gd+ HVO fuel, operators of diesel engines can typically save lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 90%, improve local air quality as a result. In-field and controlled environment-independent tests have shown that compared to standard diesel emissions, Gd+ HVO achieves up to 80% reductions of particulates and up to 20% reductions of nitrogen oxides emissions.
Essential to transition
William Tebbit, CEO and co-founder of Green Biofuels, said, “We are delighted to be working with Essar and DPD. Our mission is to support the net-zero energy transition by providing a solution that that makes an immediate impact on local air quality, lowers CO2 emissions, and supports decarbonisation.
“The challenges faced by DPD are typical of most large fleets in the UK; however, Gd+ HVO provides results with no additional costs of transforming the engines. Green Biofuels offers the most effective solution available today – it is an essential ingredient for the transition to an environmentally friendly world fueled by 100% renewable energy.”
DPD Ireland is also making the switch with full details here.