The company is part of DCC plc, a leading international sales, marketing and support services group, which launched its new Leading With Energy strategy in May 2022.

As well as fuelling its own fleet with the low carbon diesel alternative, the UK’s leading fuel distributor has launched HVO delivery to businesses across the UK.

The drop-in renewable fuel is also available at selected Certas Energy refuelling sites, including its Thurrock HGV refuelling site – making Certas Energy the first in the UK to offer HVO fuel to HGV fuel card users at the pump. The company has plans to roll out supply across more of its nationwide network of HGV refuelling sites over the coming months.

HVO is a drop-in diesel alternative that offers a cleaner way to fuel commercial on and off-road fleets than traditional red or white diesel, with no engine modifications required. The roll-out of HVO across Certas Energy’s extensive network underpins the company’s commitment to supporting UK businesses on their transition journey to net zero.

Niki Holt, Head of Commercial at Certas Energy, said: “Our nationwide HVO offering marks a major milestone for our company and, more importantly, our customers.leading with energy The renewable diesel alternative provides an immediate and simple carbon reduction benefit for businesses working towards cleaner operations – it’s simply drop in and go.

“This seamless fuel change means diesel-dependent industries can make a smooth, frictionless transition and realise significant sustainability benefits, without delay or disruption. We are proud to be leading with energy by offering a viable route for businesses looking to lower their carbon footprint, today.”

Certas Energy  is also adopting the fuel across its own delivery fleet. Following a successful trial at two depots, which saw almost 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions cut from operations in just one year, Certas Energy is already well on the way to rolling out HVO across its 900-strong fleet.

With industry forecasts predicting significant demand for renewable diesel over the coming years, Certas Energy has already committed significant investment to expand its offer. The transition to HVO is one of several decarbonisation initiatives implemented by Certas Energy as part of its commitment to both support the UK’s journey to net zero as well as to dramatically reduce its own operational CO2 emissions (50% reduction by 2030).

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The company already has charging equipment in a quarter of its sites, but now plans to install its own equipment, he reveals in an in-depth interview with Ireland’s Forecourt and Convenience Retailer.

“We have ESB chargers in 40 sites and Ionity superchargers – which can charge a car in as low as 10 to 20 minutes – in six sites. These are mainly on national routes but going forward we’ll see more charging facilities in urban hubs such as Dublin and Cork,” Mr Diver said.

“Sites have been identified and we’re working closely with ESB so there will be a significant number each year.”

Changing economy

The company is keeping abreast of a rapidly changing fuel economy by keeping tabs on consumer demand and drawing on global insights throughout its colleagues in the international Circle K network.

“In Norway, where EVs outsell traditional combustible engine cars, our colleagues are leading our global EV strategy,” he says.

“We see forecourts there that retail only electricity, while in others EV chargers sit alongside petrol and diesel pumps. We understand what the future might look like in this regard and this will be crucial to our own EV journey here in Ireland.”

Circle K has just published new consumer research revealing that over half of Irish motorists believe they will be driving electric vehicles by 2030, and two in five would consider switching to electric within the next three years.

It is also eyeing other proven global technologies to help decarbonise Ireland’s transport sector, including compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable gases and biofuels, such as 100% hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) which the company is trialling in Denmark.

Low lying fruit

And Mr Diver warns that while there are plenty of measures that can be taken in the short term to reduce emissions while the full roll-out of EV continues, the industry has been challenged by a lack of government policy.

“There are alternatives to fossil fuels – we can blend more with biofuels. It’s low-lying fruit and can be easily done depending on government policy – we could make substantive changes in a matter of months,” he says.

Read the full interview with Jonathan Diver in the latest edition of Ireland’s Forecourt and Convenience Retailer magazine.

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