Delivery, courier and shipping giant FedEx is switching its linehaul fleets from diesel to biofuels at three UK sites from this month, to help slash its fleets’ carbon emissions.

More than 170 trucks will now refuel with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) across FedEx depots at Parkhouse, which has 80 tractors; Marston Gate, which runs 54 tractors; and Atherstone, where 38 tractors are in operation.

The switch will see FedEx buy at least four million litres of the fuel annually under a two year deal with HVO supplier Crown Oil.

The operator has calculated that shifting these three fleets to HVO will deliver certified lifecycle carbon emissions savings of at least 80% compared to diesel.

FedEx began using 100% HVO fuel as a drop-in alternative to diesel  in its UK operations in October 2023.

This earlier trial, along with a similar pilot in the Netherlands, has resulted in FedEx choosing HVO as the preferred fuel to help the company transition from diesel to biofuels in its European road network.

James Richards, FedEx senior manager of UK road network operations, said: “FedEx operates an expansive road network across the region. We’re excited to share that the UK is the first country where we’re able to scale the use of HVO in our operations, in what we hope will be a permanent operational change.

“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.”

FedEx is also replacing diesel with HVO in 16 tugs, which are used at the same three sites to reposition accompanying trailers.

The company said: “While some pieces of ground service equipment are already commonly procured as battery electric, HVO offers favourable alternative to diesel where electrification of certain ground service equipment may not yet be practical.”

 

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