Spring GDS saves CO2e in the UK in one year thanks to HVO100 Biodiesel
With the UK government’s Net Zero plans under increasing scrutiny, Spring GDS is demonstrating how logistics providers can still make a difference. In the past year, Spring GDS has saved 1,034,861 kg of CO₂e in the UK through its adoption of HVO100 – a 100% renewable biodiesel fuel – helping reduce road transport emissions without waiting for the rollout of electric truck infrastructure.
This forms part of a major European initiative launched by Spring GDS and parent company PostNL in April 2024, which saw 4 million litres of HVO100 integrated into the road transport diesel network. According to new data, this has made a tangible dent in UK emissions, cutting Spring GDS UK’s total annual road transport-related CO₂e from 7,186,535 kg to 6,151,674 kg.
To put that into perspective, the UK savings alone are equivalent to removing over 600 cars from the road for an entire year, or avoiding hundreds of long-haul flights.
Across Europe, the same initiative has led to savings of more than 26,000 tonnes (26 Kt) of CO₂e in road transport emissions, highlighting the environmental benefits of HVO100 as an immediate decarbonisation solution.
Kelly van der Weg, UK MD of Spring GDS said: “A year ago, we took a bold step by betting on HVO100 – a highly promising alternative capable of significantly reducing CO₂, NOx, and particulate emissions. Today, we can confidently say that the potential was real. These savings are meaningful and demonstrate that viable alternatives to traditional diesel do exist, even for road transport.”
Recognising the environmental impact of transportation, PostNL is committed to reducing the footprint of its supply chain. Its strategy includes ambitious decarbonisation targets that exceed Science Based Targets (SBTi) and aims for net-zero emissions by 2040, a full decade ahead of the UK’s legally binding 2050 target.
By the end of 2024, 77% of PostNL’s heavy-duty trucks were already operating on HVO100. For 2025, the company plans to increase its use of renewable biodiesel to 4.3 million litres, allowing it to continue progressing toward its climate goals.
“We know our impact may be limited in global numbers, but we also know that leadership means acting before others do. This initiative has proven that with determination and collaboration, it’s possible to drive meaningful change in the sector,” says Tijs Reumerman, Managing Director of Cross Border Solutions at PostNL.
More on Spring GDS here: https://www.spring-gds.com/en-gb/
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