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FedEx Express Europe announced that it began a “small-scale” trial using renewable diesel on part of its fleet of delivery trucks in the Netherlands earlier this month.
Heavy-duty trucks traveling long distances use alternative fossil fuels when they leave the newly reopened FedEx Express Center in Duven, Netherlands. The fuel is extracted from organic matter or waste materials.
“While technology solutions are still being developed to help the industry transition away from fossil fuels entirely, we can already make decisions to impact the first carbon emissions in our trucking network – those generated by our owned vehicles,” Vinay D’Souza, senior vice president of planning and engineering at FedEx Express Europe, said in a statement.
The logistics giant plans to transform its parcel pickup and delivery operation to an all-electric fleet by 2040. But decarbonizing heavy transport is more challenging.
“The range of distances required, the time required to refuel, and the fact that by the nature of their operation, heavy-duty vehicles travel between regions means they often require refueling in multiple countries,” FedEx said in a press release on Nov. 14.
The renewable diesel program is limited to the Netherlands, where it is encouraged on continental routes, according to FedEx.
FedEx’s commitment to achieve carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040 includes all company-owned and operated transportation, including package pickup and delivery, European freight trucks and aircraft. Scope 3 emissions, generated by FedEx’s third-party carriers, are also included in the effort.
“By demonstrating support and adaptation for diesel alternatives, FedEx seeks to make alternative fuels more feasible, scalable and ultimately accessible across the industry, as solutions to decarbonize challenging transportation sectors in Europe,” the company said in the statement.
Renewable diesel is one of several alternatives to diesel fuel that the industry is exploring to cut emissions. Medium- and heavy-duty trucks account for just 4% of all vehicles on the world’s roads, but they account for 40% of all road transport emissions and a third of total transport fuel use, according to the Climate Group.
FedEx isn’t alone in its push into renewable fuels. Last week, Penske Truck Leasing expanded its partnership with Shell to fuel its fleet of rental and heavy-duty trucks. All vehicles refueled at Penske Truck Leasing’s 32 California refueling locations will run on renewable diesel.
UPS is betting on RNG as the preferred fuel of the future due to its availability, seamless integration with the natural gas system and emissions profile. In 2019, the company ordered 6,000 RNG trucks, with the last scheduled to arrive this year.
