How Sustainable Fuels Can Improve a Commercial Fleet’s Sustainability

In today’s world where climate change and carbon footprint threaten the planet, many businesses and fleet operators are looking to improve their sustainability and introduce eco-friendly practices. Whilst many turn to electric vehicles, these have certain operational barriers that can cause issues in fleet management. Another solution is the use of alternative fuels, such as HVO, GTL and AdBlue, which have environmental benefits.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of using these sustainable fuels, and how onsite fuel management systems offered by Fueltek can make their use efficient and cost-effective.

What are the Different Types of Sustainable Fuel?

Before looking at the benefits of transitioning to sustainable fuels, it’s important to understand the three key types on offer. Here are some types of sustainable fuel that can be used:

HVO

HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is a renewable diesel-like fuel that is derived from waste materials like cooking oil and animal fats. It is created through a hydrotreating process, which removes impurities and saturates hydrocarbons, producing a fuel comparable to diesel. HVO has a higher cetane level than diesel fuel, which results in it burning more cleanly and emitting fewer pollutants. Furthermore, HVO has a higher density and lower viscosity than regular diesel, which improves engine performance and fuel efficiency, an aspect that appeals to many fleet operators.

GTL

GTL (Gas-to-liquid) is a natural gas-derived fuel. It is a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional diesel, containing almost no sulphur, aromatics, and nitrogen typically found in crude oil. This helps reduce harmful exhaust emissions such as nitrogen oxides. Like HVO, GTL can be used in existing diesel engines, so there’s no need to purchase new vehicles when deciding to use this fuel.

AdBlue

AdBlue is an additive that can be used in addition to diesel fuel to reduce its carbon emissions. It breaks down mono-nitrogen oxides released by the engine’s exhaust and injects urea and deionised water into the SCR (selective catalyst reduction) process. In other words, harmful emissions are reduced to water and nitrogen vapour, which is much better for the environment. Many vehicles already use AdBlue, including commercial and personal vehicles.

What are the Benefits of Using Sustainable Fuels?

As the name suggests, sustainable fuels are chosen by many fleet operators because of their reduced impact on the environment in comparison to traditional diesel. However, many businesses also choose to transition to these fuels because of their operational benefits, in addition to their eco-friendly output.

Reduced Carbon Emissions: In an industry such as fleet management, maintaining sustainable practices is not only important for the environment, but also in upholding a business’s reputation and standing within the field. Fuels like HVO have lower levels of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which contribute to improved air quality. Using sustainable fuels can also help your business gain accreditations such as FORS, which can allow you to receive resources, discounts and certain funding.

Efficiency: Another reason to consider integrating sustainable fuels is efficiency. HVO for example, has a higher energy content, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and reduced fuel consumption – which is a consistent concern for fleet operators. HVO also performs well in colder weather conditions, so it’s suitable for a wide range of operating environments. Sustainable fuels burn cleaner, so they do not wear the engine down as much as traditional diesel which keeps your vehicles running better for longer.

Adaptability: Sustainable fuels are highly adaptable because they can be used in existing diesel engines. This means that unlike electric vehicles, you won’t need to purchase new vehicles to make your fleet more sustainable. As a result, the transition towards sustainability can be seamless.

Onsite Fuel Management for Improving Sustainability

Clearly, there are a whole host of benefits associated with introducing sustainable fuels into commercial fleets. Despite these benefits, many fleet operators are put off by the initial costs of sustainable fuels. For example, traditional diesel is widely available in fuelling locations, whereas sustainable fuels might be more difficult to come across, presenting obstacles in terms of logistics and fleet route planning. Sustainable fuels can come with a higher price point, due to the processes used to create them, discouraging business owners from making the transition.

However, by making your fleet more sustainable through the implementation of fuels like HVO and GTL, your business’s reputation can be improved which may have the potential to bring in further revenue. Equally, introducing an onsite fuel management system can solve the problem of reliability and availability of sustainable fuels, and save you costs in the long term.

Onsite fuel management can help businesses overcome the challenges associated with adopting sustainable fuels for fleets. By having an onsite fuel storage tank, fleet managers are able to purchase large quantities of fuel at wholesale prices, saving money in the long run. This also improves efficiency as drivers no longer have to refuel off-site, resulting in an increase in productivity and time saved. If your vehicles frequently operate in remote areas, you no longer have to worry about refuelling in these areas.

To get started with using sustainable fuels in your business, contact us with any questions about implementing an onsite fuel management system, and our expert team can help you find the answers you need.