Zemo publish Renewable Fuel Guide to alternative fuel for HGVs

The Zemo Partnership have published a Renewable Fuels Guide which is intended to introduce HGV operators to the variety of low carbon fuel alternatives currently available.

Zemo are, in their own words, ‘an independent non-profit partnership, working tirelessly with government and our members to help shape future policy, create influential transport initiatives; and provide expert advice to those working to reduce transport emissions, improve air quality, and combat climate change through cleaner mobility.’

The guide is divided into sections that deal, in turn, with biodiesel, renewable diesel, biomethane and bio-propane. 

Each section digs deep into the viability of the fuel, explaining the current state of the supply chain, naming approved suppliers, quoting GHG emission performance, vehicle compatibility and refuelling infrastructure.

Each section also ends with a case study, for example the John Lewis Partnership who are running approximately 400 trucks powered by biomethane and who have committed to change their whole fleet of heavy duty trucks to  biomethane, by 2028.

As the guide mentions, a lot of companies are addressing Scope 3 GHG emissions arising from their supply chain and as such decarbonising transport related emissions will feature heavily in their climate change mitigation strategy. As a result, a switch to using low carbon fuels for transport operations offers an immediate opportunity for reducing those emissions.’

Report author and Zemo’s fuels lead and Head of Sustainability, Gloria Esposito, said: ‘We’re delighted to publish this new Guide to help heavy duty vehicle operators who are facing many other challenges, find a way through the maze of guidance and regulations around cutting carbon emissions.

‘The Guide has been compiled with the support of Zemo members – manufacturers, fuel suppliers and fleet operators – who have shared their invaluable knowledge and experience.’

Tanya Neech, Head of Sustainability for Scania UK said: ‘There’s no ‘silver bullet’ solution to reducing the GHG emissions from our sector, which is why we must explore and investigate all technologies.

‘Efforts will need focus on three pillars: energy efficiency, renewable fuels and electrification. All three are important, and only by combining them, can we provide sustainable solutions, and be able to reduce GHG emissions on par with the Paris Accord.

‘Electrification on its own won’t be enough to reach the GHG reduction targets. To keep the necessary pace of halving the real well-to-wheel carbon footprint from heavy duty transport every decade, sustainable biofuels will be vital.’