TG Lynes, a heating, plumbing and air movement materials supplier, started using HVO in two of its 18 tonne Euro 6 lorries late last year. Installing a 10,000 litre HVO tank at its Enfield base to refuel the lorries brings the company additional time efficiencies and cost savings.
The switch has proved so successful, both environmentally and economically, that TG Lynes is now considering rolling out HVO across all of its heavy goods vehicles.
Unexpected benefits
John O’Connell, transport supervisor at the business, said: “We made the decision to try HVO in two vehicles to see how it worked.
“We knew that our carbon emissions from these two vehicles would reduce by around 90 per cent, but we hadn’t fully appreciated the additional benefits the move would bring. The MPG of each vehicle has improved. These Class 2 vehicles tend to do quite short journeys within the M25 with plenty of stopping and starting. When we were using regular diesel, the MPG averaged 11.5. During a similar month this year, with comparable journeys completed, it was 13 MPG.
“Furthermore, lorries of this size need to use specific fuelling stations to re-fill with diesel. This takes planning and time. With our HVO tank on site, there is no queuing or forethought required – the fuel is waiting each morning, allowing us to get on with our deliveries.
“There’s also the benefit of fuel security. As we saw last year, fossil fuel disruption is not unheard of. Should the country face shortages again, we will have the benefit of a stable supply on site.
“It’s been a really positive test and we are considering rolling out HVO across other vehicles in the fleet – and perhaps, in time, across all of them.”
The projected carbon saving through the course of 2023 through the two HVO lorries is 15 tonnes – the approximate amount an average car would emit were it to drive once around the world.
Meeting a variety of needs
TG Lynes has an array of different vehicles in its fleet to meet a variety of delivery needs. As well as the 18 tonne DAF lorries, the business has both long and short wheelbase 7.5 tonne lorries. The long wheelbase lorries are generally used for multi-drop jobs within the M25, while the short wheelbase vehicles have an increased payload of around three tonnes.
There are also two 3.5 tonne panel vans, five open back dropside vans, a Nissan Navara for long distance deliveries and, at the other end of the spectrum, an e-bike that is perfect for short distance deliveries of small parts.
John, who has been with TG Lynes for 10 years, said: “It is good to have a diversity of fleet vehicles, which gives us a real flexibility to serve all our customers in the most appropriate way.
“We are also making real strides in lowering our fleet’s carbon footprint, which is a key goal of the business as a whole.”
John said the company is also exploring the possibilities of electric lorries and vans, as well as keeping tabs on advancements in hydrogen power.