Tool and equipment hire firm Speedy has switched to fuelling its delivery fleet with greener hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, saving 5,000 tonnes of CO2e over the next 12 months.
The switch, said to be an industry first in the hire sector, is being carried out for delivery vehicles, HGVs and tankers at 21 of its biggest locations across the country, representing 92% of the company’s HGV fleet.
To boost the CO2 savings further, Speedy will use Green D+ enhanced HVO as its preferred fuel, which removes 11% of nitrogen oxide emissions and is 20% lower in particulates than standard HVO.
HVO emits up to 90% less carbon compared to red diesel and the switch by Speedy will save the equivalent CO2 of heating 1,820 UK homes for a year.
The move represents the first major phase of the firm’s transition to a fully low-carbon fleet by 2030; it’s also investing millions in low-carbon equipment for contractors.
The company is also reviewing how staff vehicles can refuel with HVO at Speedy sites to help further reduce its overall emissions.
Mike DeRome, head of fuel at Speedy, said: “Our fuel usage comprises the largest part of the business’ carbon footprint, making it a priority area for us to take action. Reducing emissions in our delivery fleet helps customers to make big gains in decarbonising their supply chain, reducing the overall carbon footprint of their projects.”
“The switch to HVO fuel across our commercial fleet also helps the business to instantly reduce carbon emissions without wastefully retiring diesel powered assets early in favour of new vehicles, particularly while electric and hydrogen technologies continue to advance and mature.”
