SMT GB has hailed the impact of its decision to embrace HVO fuel.
Following the conclusion of the red diesel rebate for construction equipment, the firm took the opportunity to assess all of the available alternative options.
In addition to exclusively using HVO to fuel any customer machines that visit SMT GB’s customer support centres, the company also uses HVO for all new machine deliveries, and to fuel the forklift truck fleet.
Operations director Garry Wilcock explained, “Once our time using red diesel came to an end, we assessed all of the available fuelling options, and made the conscious business decision to switch to HVO fuel. This led us to invest significantly in our facilities to accommodate this new fuel, which we wholeheartedly believe has been worthwhile when the environmental benefits of using HVO fuel are considered.”
The sustainability of SMT GB’s HVO fuel is assured through the certificates provided by Zemo under the Renewable Fuel Assurance Scheme, which guarantees it has been made from waste products and not blended with any other fuels.
Paul Burr, quality, environmental, safety and health manager at SMT GB, added, “There is around a 90% reduction in total scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions from using HVO fuel over diesel, so it was an obvious decision for us to take when we looked at it from an environmental perspective. Added to this, it reduces emissions of some of the key air pollutants by around 30%, which is helping authorities in their efforts to meet local and national air quality standards.
“SMT GB is committed to achieving net zero by 2040, which is a highly ambitious target, but using HVO fuel is greatly helping us along the road to achieving it. It also assists our customers in their own journeys to net zero.”
Providing reassurance that HVO is safe to use, Volvo CE has tested the fuel across its entire engine range, and found it to cause no damage to engines or components and, in some instances, actually increase fuel efficiency.
To further allay concerns, SMT GB revealed it only engages with fuel suppliers who are able to prove the point of origin of the waste and by-products used to create their HVO.
Derek Griffiths, service delivery manager, stated, “Like everybody, we were initially wary of the change. However, after Volvo’s reassurance and completing our own due diligence, I’m happy to confirm that there have been no issues to report. The feedback from our customers and engineers on our use of HVO fuel has been nothing but positive and, from our perspective, we believe HVO is the perfect environmental bridging tool until electrification and hydrogen are ready to take over from diesel-powered engines.”
