Going further on your energy transition with HVO
This Clean Air Day (15 June), Katrina McDonnell, head of energy solutions and transition at Certas Energy, explores the potential of drop-in diesel alternative HVO to plug the gap to Net Zero, and shares the company’s experience of transitioning its own fleet to the fuel
As the UK’s second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the transport sector has a responsibility to transition towards lower-emission energy solutions. But the perceived cost and upheaval associated with switching to alternative fuels are often cited as barriers to adoption.
So as ESG strategies put a spotlight on commitments to lowering the environmental impact of everyday operations, how can fleet managers make more environmentally conscious choices while protecting productivity and profitability?
The energy transition reality
Each year, Clean Air Day puts a spotlight on the impact air pollution has on the health of people and the planet. As we race towards the UK’s goal of Net Zero by 2050, it’s time to get serious about re-evaluating how we continue to fuel the transport and logistics industry.
But before we dive into the benefits of HVO, it’s important to acknowledge that the energy transition journey is constantly evolving as new technologies and solutions come into the mix and the infrastructure continues to develop. Each fleet will have its own unique set of circumstances which will influence the right solution for that business – the question is how can they adapt, and quickly.
Petrol and diesel will continue to be part of the energy mix for years to come, but cleaner-burning diesel alternatives can help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, while improving air quality today. The key is to find a transition fuel that can balance business needs and carbon reduction goals, for now and the foreseeable future. With HVO, we’re making important progress towards this goal.
As a drop-in diesel alternative, Certas Energy HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), can reduce fuel-related net CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent with immediate effect without any modifications. This offers fleets an attractive solution to start their energy transition journey with minimum disruption but maximum impact.
What you need to know about HVO
The emissions reduction potential of HVO is understandably the headline benefit, but there’s more to HVO than meets the eye. HVO is a 100 per cent biodegradable fuel derived from renewable and sustainable vegetable fat and oil waste.
Unlike conventional diesel production, hydrogen is used to remove oxygen from the oil molecules and split them into smaller chains, making combustion easier and cleaner. As a result, HVO reduces regulated engine out emissions, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), all of which are harmful to human health and the environment. This demonstrates the social value that switching to HVO can deliver for businesses looking to make meaningful progress against ESG targets.
As a drop-in alternative, HVO can be used in vehicles or equipment designed for diesel, without any changes to the engine or infrastructure. There is also no need to drain, flush or clean out tanks before adding HVO. This makes it an ideal solution for businesses that want to realise significant carbon reduction but find it difficult to decarbonise due to current technology and electrification shortcomings.
It’s worth highlighting that the benefits of HVO extend beyond sustainability. The fuel has a naturally low cold filter plugging point (CFPP) to -30 degrees, as well as higher filterability and improved combustion over some diesel alternatives. HVO also has a longer shelf life than conventional diesel and can be stored for up to 10 years.
One of the most common questions we get asked is around the price implications of switching to HVO. Like all fuel, the price of HVO is variable and the cost depends on a number of factors, including market changes, quantity, availability and location.
While the cost of HVO is higher than conventional diesel, as demand and supply increases, the price difference will start to decrease. In addition, because there is no major upfront capital expenditure requirement, businesses can begin their lower emissions journey with no additional infrastructure spend.
HVO on the go
As a leading supplier in the UK, we’ve demonstrated our confidence in HVO as a viable and effective alternative fuel by adopting it for our own fleet. A successful two-year trial at selected depots saw savings of 6,433 tonnes of CO₂, helping us to surpass our 2025 target of reducing CO2 by 20 per cent, three years ahead of time.
Our plans are now focused on to transitioning to using over four million litres of renewable HVO fuel, annually, with 20 per cent of our suitable fleet switching to HVO in the run up to 2025.
Other key milestones on our HVO journey include becoming the first in the UK to offer HVO fuel at HGV refuelling sites. This means Certas Energy fuel card users can now fill up on renewable diesel at a growing number of Certas Energy bunkers.
We were also recently approved as a Recognised Fuel Supplier under ZEMO’s Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS), giving fleet managers even more confidence in the sustainability credentials of Certas Energy HVO.
Driving positive change
The path to net zero is not always straightforward and there is no single solution to reducing our reliance on conventional fuels to improve air quality, but there is a range of readily available and emerging technologies that can support the transition to a low emission future.
HVO offers a promising solution to reduce the transport industry’s environmental impact and plug the net zero gap, without compromising operational performance.
