FedEx to switch 170 UK trucks from diesel to biofuel

FedEx is switching from diesel to biofuel for 170 of its trucks at three of its UK sites following its initial trial in October last year.

The tractor-trailer combination trucks will now refuel with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) across FedEx locations in Parkhouse (80 tractors), Marston Gate (54 tractors) and Atherstone (38 tractors).

FedEx has secured four million litres of biofuel annually through a two-year agreement with supplier Crown Oil.

The logistics company said the change to HVO will deliver certified lifecycle carbon emissions savings of at least 80% compared to diesel and offers one way of reducing the emissions of operating a network of heavy goods vehicles.

FedEx Express began using 100% HVO fuel as a direct replacement, or ‘drop-in’ alternative, to diesel, in a trial with its UK operations in October 2023.

This earlier trial, along with a similar pilot in the Netherlands, allowed FedEx to evaluate the practicalities of refuelling with alternative fuels and highlighted HVO as a preferred route to help FedEx transition from diesel to biofuels in its European road network.

James Richards, senior manager road network operations UK, FedEx, said the UK is the first country where the business has been able to scale the use of HVO in its operations.

He’s hoping the operational switch will be a permanent one.

Richards said: “We’ve been trialling our use of this fuel for eight months already and with this purchase agreement we’re increasing our consumption sufficiently for our fleet to drive approximately 36,000 miles each week on alternative fuel.

“This decision is another step towards our long-term goal of achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040.”

As well as helping to reduce the emissions of linehaul trucks, HVO can also be used in place of diesel in select pieces of ground service equipment.

Under this agreement, 16 tugs – used at the same three sites to reposition accompanying trailers - will begin routine use of HVO as a drop-in fuel.

While some pieces of ground service equipment are already commonly procured as battery electric, FedEx said HVO offers an alternative to diesel where electrification of certain ground service equipment may not yet be practical.