John O’Leary was appointed as managing director of Inver in early 2023 – how has he found the role to date?

“Exciting, challenging and immensely enjoyable. We have a great team and a long established, diverse customer base spanning across marine, aviation, industrial, agricultural, domestic and of course the retail fuel sector. The journey to decarbonisation is challenging us to be more innovative in our thinking and every day is a learning opportunity” John told IF&CR.

A certified accountant by training, he spent 14 years in finance roles in the medical industry in the UK and Ireland, followed by two years in the global communications group WPP.

“I joined Inver as CFO in 2013 and moved to Greenergy, our parent company, to become European Head of Finance in 2018, based in Manchester. I was delighted to return to Inver as Managing Director in 2023.”

As the figure head for Inver, what strategic vision does John have for the brand/company?

“My vision is for Inver to be recognised as a leader in decarbonising transportation in Ireland through our use of low carbon fuels. A key element in achieving that is our jointly owned terminal in Foynes, the most modern terminal in the country. The flexible configuration of the terminal allows us to continually adapt to the increasing requirements associated with meeting Ireland’s Climate Action Plan targets” he said.

Inver is part of the Greenergy Group – can you outline Inver’s place in the over-arching company structure?

“Our purpose, mission and values are very much aligned. Greenergy has three decades of experience working to decarbonise transport fuels and is Europe’s largest manufacturer of biodiesel from waste. Greenergy is also investing in other next generation renewable projects to help drive the energy transition and support circularity.

“We work very closely with our Greenergy colleagues daily to deliver on our shared mission and values, which underpin our interactions both internally, with our customers, suppliers and broader community.

These are turbulent times for the oil/fuel industries – with policy and legislation driving change and moves towards carbon neutrality. This must bring up many challenges – and opportunities for Inver – how are you managing these necessary developments and changes?

“Yes, it can be challenging managing through such change, we manage by being flexible, adaptable and responsive to change. These qualities are demonstrated by our people daily and are our strongest asset in dealing with a constantly evolving industry.”

How and what can Inver offer a forecourt in Ireland – what are the main benefits of being an Inver customer?

“Inver customers enjoy a host of compelling benefits that set us apart as a fast-growing fuel supplier in the market. We take pride in supplying traceable, quality-assured fuels through a flexible partnership ensuring seamless and straightforward collaboration. Our supply security is guaranteed through our advanced terminal in Foynes.

“With a strong reputation for honesty, safety, and dependability, Inver stands as a trusted choice with a positive recall amongst customers. Choosing to be part of the Inver family is also choosing to support your local community.”

Marketing and promotions are becoming increasingly important in such a competitive fuel marketplace – being a ‘visible’ brand and having a social media presence is more pertinent than ever – how does Inver’s outward facing marketing make a difference?

“It allows us a platform to connect with our customers and motorists, and we use this platform to engage, inform and educate. For example, fuel quality and traceability are paramount to Inver and our customers, and our quality assured fuel programme champions this through pump branding and point of sale materials at the forecourt. We have developed this programme to give our partners and motorists the assurance that fuel supplied by Inver meets the National and European fuel standards, and have complete traceability from the point of origin at the refinery to delivery at the forecourt” explained John.

“Social media plays a vital role and provides a direct channel to engage with motorists, connect with communities around our forecourts and communicate key messages. For example, we use social media channels to share updates on our charitable initiatives, new forecourt openings and product launches, including our recent launch of HVO at selected forecourts. We find that our presence on social media efforts fosters a sense of connection and engagement with motorists and our broader community.”

If you had to make a one-minute elevator pitch for Inver – what would you say?

“At Inver, we prioritise excellence in customer service and aim to build long-lasting relationships with our customers, whilst helping them to manage the energy transition journey and meet Ireland’s decarbonisation targets with our certified, quality-assured fuels.”

In the last edition of IF&CR we covered the story about Inver Energy rolling out HVO at selected forecourts. How’s that been going and what’s the feedback so far?

“It’s showing incremental week on week growth, which is very gratifying. The feedback has been positive, but it’s also clear that there is an ongoing requirement to educate other market sectors in addition to transport on the benefits that using HVO provides in reducing carbon emissions, when appropriately certified.   “

How will this progress – is HVO the future of/for Inver Energy?

“It’s certainly a key element of our transport decarbonisation strategy. We are fortunate to have a modern terminal already optimally configured to store and blend HVO along with other biofuels, that can help meet the increasing Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). HVO is also suitable for use in other sectors than transport, such as electricity generation, domestic heating and industrial applications. I therefore certainly see it playing an important role in our decarbonisation journey.

“Given global demand for feedstocks however, and the targets for advanced biofuels supply incorporated in the EU Renewable Energy Directive, I also see a role for other types of biofuels in the future.”

It could be argued that Ireland is just one giant village – supporting local communities is at the core for many businesses – how does Inver get involved at grassroot level, with local people, schools, sports and so on?

“We’ve very conscious that our forecourts, both Inver owned and those owned by our partners, are embedded in our communities. Our “Leading Lights” programme, which we operate in conjunction with our forecourt partners, provides on the ground support to those local organisations that share our common goals to support education, technology, children and family.  We maintain our own Inver community social channels and use these to highlight some of the great work done by the local groups we support” John told IF&CR.

“For a number of years, Inver has also sponsored the Junior Munster Rugby Supporters Club by providing free memberships for children. This gives children who play rugby or love to follow rugby an opportunity to interact and meet their heroes and be part of the Munster Inver Community.”

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The first three forecourts have begun sales, with HVO now available at Inver Fermoy in Co. Cork, Inver Johnstown in Co. Kilkenny and Inver Castletroy in Co. Limerick with further sites to follow. HVO fuel purchases can be made with Inver’s fuel card, which operates across the DCI network.

John O’Leary, Managing Director, said: ‘We are committed to providing our customers with a range of low carbon fuels that will help them reduce their carbon emissions and help support Ireland’s decarbonisation targets. Making HVO available at forecourts marks a significant step in meeting the rising demands for reliable supply of low carbon fuels closer to our customers.’

Inver Energy

Inver Energy has been operating in the Irish market for more than 30 years and is a national importer of fuel products supplying a wide range of customers from local forecourts to large industrial businesses.  Leveraging its existing infrastructure, Inver is extending its existing offering of low carbon fuels to help reduce transport emissions.

Inver Energy is part of the Greenergy Group, Europe’s largest manufacturer of waste-based biodiesel, and an established supplier and distributor of transportation fuels with a proven track record as a low-cost supplier delivering highly reliable customer service.

 What is HVO?

Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a biofuel made by hydrotreating vegetable oil, animal oils and fat. Also known as renewable diesel, HVO can reduce emissions by up to 90% compared to regular diesel.  It can also be used as a replacement to diesel without engine and machinery modification.

What is the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO)?

The Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) is regulated by the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and obligates suppliers to meet biofuel blend percentages in transport fuels. Currently set at 16.985% by energy content with further plans to increase, the obligation must be met through the adoption of various biofuels, such as biodiesel and HVO.

All HVO marketed by Inver is sourced from auditable and certified supply chains and comply with the International Sustainability & Carbon Certifications (ISCC) scheme and National and European fuel standards, and all carbon reductions resulting from the use of HVO supplied by Inver will count towards Ireland’s national targets for transport emissions reductions.

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The run is in memory of two brothers, Wayne and Kenny Scannell, who tragically passed away within years of each other. Since its inception, the event has proved hugely successful in raising a substantial amount of money for organisations that need extra support like Waterford City River Rescue and the paediatric ward at University Hospital Waterford.

This year the Scannell family decided to fundraise in aid of Blood Bikes South East. Established in 2020, Blood Bikes South East directly serves hospitals and communities across the South East and links up with other blood bike groups to provide a completely FREE nationwide service, which benefits hospitals, laboratories, nursing homes, patients, and their families.

They transport many urgent medical items such as blood products, medical samples, medical records, scans, x-rays, test results, medicines, and medical devices. Blood Bikes South East is a 100% volunteer run, no one is paid for their service and all funds raised go directly into the service they provide to the community.

To mark this exciting event, Inver Slieverue Junction presented Blood Bikes South East with a €1,000 Leading Lights donation.

Leading Lights is Inver’s unique initiative where each Inver Service Station has the opportunity to support and recognise organisations and charities that put an effort and time into making their communities a better place. Through this programme, Inver is committed to making a positive and long-lasting contribution to people’s lives.

This donation fits seamlessly with Inver’s ethos of supporting local communities, families, and education.

Store manager Sean said: “Blood Bikes South East is a truly inspiring voluntary organisation providing out-of-hours runs to ensure that those who need help can get it at any time.”

Inver would like to thank the Scannell family for organising such an amazing event and everyone who supported this fantastic fundraiser.

Caption: Mick Canavan, Dewald Groenewald, Abraham Allen, Paul Brierton, Brenda Forrest, Ronnie Evans, Clare McGowan, Niamh Phelan, Stephen Hampson, Sabrina Scannell

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That said, the actual number of new EVs sold at 8,646 still only represented just over 8% of 104,000 all new vehicles sold.

Climate change minister Eamon Ryan had set a target of having almost one million EVs, both private and commercial, on the roads by 2030.

The Republic’s Climate Change Action Plan had envisaged having 845,000 electric cars, 95,000 vans, 3.500 lorries and 1,500 buses in operation by then (a total of 945,000)

The Green Party leader himself admitted in November that target would be “difficult to achieve” with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar conceding “we may have to do better with a work car van than with a private car side. But that’s the goal, and it’s a combination of the two”.

The fact is that in less than 10 years we will no longer be able to buy the new petrol and diesel cars most of us now drive and once Electric Vehicles reach purchase cost parity with traditional cars there will be little reason to opt for a conventional vehicle whose resale value could be virtually nothing a few years later.

Aside from a higher purchase cost the other fly thus far in the EV ointment has been range anxiety… and that’s where the forecourt rides to the rescue.

Charging to the rescue

If you don’t have a spare €60,00 for a range topping Tesla Model 3 LR, which can manage almost 350miles per charge, chances are you’ll be stopping for a top-up somewhere between Dublin and Belfast on a round trip.

The UK’s Policy Exchange think-tank has said the UK’s rollout of electric vehicle charging points is way behind what is needed to meet its planned ban on new petrol and diesel cars, and that’s a picture reflected in Ireland too.

As a result, forecourts everywhere are now stepping up the installation of rapid charging points to cope with rising EV sales and the fact that in little over a decade the face of motoring will be radically changed.

Just over a year ago the UK’s first forecourt dedicated to only electric cars opened in Braintree, Essex, and there’s little doubt more will follow all across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

Forecourts everywhere are now stepping up the installation of rapid charging points to cope with rising EV sales and the fact that in little over a decade the face of motoring will be radically changed.

Fuel brand leaders

Maxol chief executive Brian Donaldson has already said he is planning on investing a seven-figure sum into transitioning forecourts from diesel and petrol pumps and towards electricity charging points, but he also called for more government help, especially when it comes to accessing the grid.

He told The Times: “There has been no clear direction [from government]. As a company we are happy to make the investment within our own site. We think the government should step in with investment outside of our site that will take power to our location.”

Maxol is currently planning to roll out charging hubs at Mitchelstown in Cork, Castletroy in Limerick, and in north Dublin over the next eight months and while every new charging point is a tick in the plus column for EV ownership, he’s not alone in expressing frustration over the State’s  ambitions on the transition not necessarily being backed by sufficient investment.

Chief of executive of Applegreen’s EV division Eugene Moore noted that Ireland is behind the UK and the US — where the forecourt retailer also operates — in terms of grants available to help them transition to electric charging hubs.

Mr Moore pointed out that President Biden’s infrastructure bill sets aside $7.5 billion (€6.6 billion) worth of support for EV infrastructure in America, while the UK has £950 million (€1.1 billion) earmarked for the same.

Applegreen itself is planning to spend €100 million in the next few years, with a plan to incorporate 700 new charging points across its Irish sites “lighting up 50 hubs this year,” he noted.

The company plan to complete its own rollout to keep pace with the public’s adoption of EVs

Tackling range anxiety

While public charging points play a key role in encouraging the switch to EVs, so too does the purchase cost and improvements in batteries to reduce ‘range anxiety’ and the reliance on charging too often when straying far from home.

The fact is charging your car overnight at home, when electricity rates are at their lowest, makes economic sense and there is currently a €600 grant available to help with the cost of installing a private charger in your driveway.

Not everyone has their own driveway or dedicated parking spot however, and to that end the ESB, which operates over 1,350 public charge points across Ireland, has matched €10 million in government funding from the Climate Action Fund to expand the network by the end of this year.

Funding too has been approved for local authorities to install and maintain more on-street public chargers, but this will need to be greatly ramped up as more people make the switch.

The postcode lottery

While there is no debating the fact that EVs are cheaper to run than traditional vehicles its still not a level playing field depending on where you live.

In the UK an average motorist will spend around £300 charging their EV for the year while in Ireland the same power will set you back around €800.

That’s still a huge saving when compared to filling the tank with petrol or diesel but it’s enough of a disparity to get annoyed about.

With costs starting at around €30,000 for a new compact EV in Ireland it’s perhaps little surprise that they are not yet being bought in greater numbers than they are.

Supply issues which have dogged the industry for the past couple of years are also affecting would-be EV buyers.

While going electric represents a not unsubstantial investment the fuel saving after three or four years, coupled with negligible maintenance costs, eventually make for a compelling argument.

Holding off

With supply issues dogging the whole of the motoring industry for the past couple of years getting your hands on the EV of your choice when you want it is far from guaranteed and there’s perhaps one compelling reason to hold off for a year or two… that being huge advancements in the batteries which power them.

A Tesla Model 3 Long Range, with a reassuring range of close to 350miles will currently set you back a cool €60,000 but the fact of the matter is most drivers would settle for a lesser range if charge time could be reduced on the street and at the forecourt.

The good news is scientists at Pennsylvania State University in America have developed new batteries for EVs that can charge in just 10 minutes.

Made from lithium, they also allow users to drive their cars 250 miles before needing to be charged again.

The alternative batteries could make new EVs cheaper than those that use cobalt in their batteries, making the initial purchase more enticing.

The fact is we are going electric, it’s just a matter of how soon we get there.

To read the full article in Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Retailer yearbook, click HERE.

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Greenergy continues to invest in its Irish forecourt network with new to industry Inver Macroom Junction service station located at Millstreet Road, off the West exit of the new N22 Macroom bypass.

Greenergy offers Irish customers a reliable, quality fuel supply and convenience food offerings. They import and distribute fuels across Ireland with their access to strategic infrastructure. Greenergy’s retail offer includes the Inver and Amber brands, combining a reliable fuel supply with two trusted and well-known Irish brands to sustain a growing service station network.

“Our new company-owned and operated spacious service station offers motorists a seamless refuelling and shopping experience,” said Gerry Condon, Head of Convenience Retail Ireland for Greenergy.

“The forecourt is assured to be the destination of choice when the new town bypass opens in late 2022. With a substantial investment of nearly €2 million, the site is a state-of-the-art facility and a prime example of our commitment to meet the needs of the modern Irish road user.”

At Macroom Junction, motorists have access to Inver’s premium fuel range, Inver Xtra, an additized fuel which removes deposits from vehicle engines, improves vehicle performance and reduces harmful to the enviroment emissions.

Electric cars will also be able to avail of rapid and high power EV charging points early next year as part of a collaboration between Greenergy and ESB.

A Spar convenience store is also part of the amenities offered, marking the launch of a new partnership between the two brands for all company-owned sites.

The store’s contemporary design features barista-style Insomnia coffee, indoor and outdoor dining areas, ample parking consisting of more than 20 spaces and free wi-fi. Customers can enjoy d’lish extensive deli range from gourmet sandwiches, deliciously fresh salads, traditional breakfasts to tempting hot dinners and made to order pizzas.

Store manager Andrew Boyle said: “I know the local community very well, and I look forward to working with and supporting the people of Macroom. I’m proud to say that we have hired over 25 people at the forecourt, helping to boost the local economy.”

Gerry Condon said: “Inver Macroom Junction is a superb addition to our forecourt network. We are planning further investment in the network in key locations across Ireland with Mallow, Co. Cork and Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny to open in the coming months.

“We are continuing to develop our forecourt network to support all road users and its continued growth.

“We wish all of the Inver Macroom Junction team the very best in their efforts to deliver top-quality customer service to the local community and all road users.”

To give your forecourt the Inver Advantage, contact the Inver sales team at www.inverenergy.ie.

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