18 Dec 2024

UK-based conglomerate - Grob Group Ltd announced it has switched 100 percent of its delivery vehicles from fossil diesel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), in order to support its efforts to meet net zero emissions by 2030.

This means that Grob Group is among the first within the HVAC Industry to be entirely fuelled by HVO.

saves carbon emissions

According to Certas Energy, which is the official fuel supplier of Grob Group, this decision will have saved the company roughly 78 tons of carbon emissions in 2024.

Grob Group company LeFactory invested in HVO in November 2024, enabling the company to fuel its entire fleet of ten delivery vehicles including two Mercedes trucks, four DAF trucks, and three vans. This follows the successful fuelling of its Fire Protection vehicles with HVO in December 2023.

renewable diesel

HVO is a renewable diesel that can cut carbon emissions caused by fossil diesel by up to 90 percent

Grob Group maintains that this decision was a ‘no-brainer’ due to the large reduction in carbon compared to white diesel, the cost gap has been reduced, the high cost of procuring electric vehicles, and that high-quality HVO is reported to perform better in efficiency, and in the winter months.

HVO is a renewable diesel that can cut carbon emissions caused by fossil diesel by up to 90 percent. This is one of several initiatives invested in by Grob Group as part of the company’s roadmap to net zero by 2030.

‘green’ steel

In addition to this announcement, the firm has also recently become the first in the UK industry to offer ‘green’ steel to its clients, investing in a 245kWp solar system at its Eastbourne facility, which covers half of all energy consumption on-site as well as in an electric company car policy.

According to Grob Group, its customers have welcomed the decision, and are seeking more details on CO2 reduction efforts during tenders and helping them to meet their net-zero targets.

Scope 1 emissions

Switching to HVO directly addresses Scope 1 emissions and gives the company a ‘competitive advantage’

Switching to HVO directly addresses Scope 1 emissions and gives the company a ‘competitive advantage’ over its competitors, says Grob Group Sustainability Manager, Steve Hancock.

Darren Holloway, Commercial Director for Energy Solutions at Certas Energy, said, "We are pleased to be able to support Grob Group and early adopters of HVO to meet their net zero goals."

decarbonize road transport

Darren Holloway adds, "This transition fuel will continue to play a central role in helping to decarbonize road transport, and other industries, in the short- and medium-term, benefiting our customers across the UK."

He continues, "I expect demand for HVO to continue to grow over the next decade, so now is the time to trial this sustainable solution at your business."

economic and logistical advantages

Olivier Grob, CEO & Owner of Grob Group Ltd, said, "At Grob Group, transitioning our entire fleet to HVO was an easy decision, driven by both the economic and logistical advantages. This step aligns perfectly with our commitment to doing things right."

Olivier Grob adds, "We recognize the significant role businesses like ours must play in addressing climate change, and this move is another reflection of our ongoing obsession with finding sustainable solutions that make a real difference. We are grateful that Certas Energy is supporting us in this journey!"

Roughly 9,000 liters of HVO have already been delivered to Grob Group so far this year.