Austrian Post lorries: vegetable oil instead of diesel
Austrian Post has announced that it will switch its entire lorry fleet to HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) by mid-2024. A bold step that makes the company a pioneer in the industry. The progress is undoubtedly impressive, but also raises some questions.
According to the manufacturer, switching to HVO can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent over the entire product life cycle. With an annual consumption of around six million litres of diesel, Swiss Post sees this as a considerable opportunity to reduce emissions in heavy goods transport.
This is undoubtedly a step in the right direction and Swiss Post should be commended for its ambition. However, as with any major advance, there are challenges and potential problems that need to be considered.
One of the main issues that could arise is the question of where the HVO comes from and how it is produced. HVO is a biodiesel made from vegetable oils and fats. However, the production of vegetable oils and fats can have a significant impact on the environment, particularly when they are derived from palm oil, the production of which is often associated with deforestation and habitat loss.
It is important that Swiss Post ensures that the HVO it uses comes from sustainable sources and that high environmental standards are met in its production. Otherwise, the switch to HVO, although reducing CO2 emissions, could have other negative effects on the environment.
Another problem could be the availability of HVO. Swiss Post sources its HVO from several suppliers, including Eni, MMM, OMV and Turmöl. However, the question is whether these suppliers will be able to meet Swiss Post's needs, especially if other companies follow Swiss Post's example and also want to switch to HVO.
Swiss Post is also planning to test electric and hydrogen lorries, which indicates a further diversification of its fleet. This is an encouraging development as it is likely that a combination of technologies will be required to make heavy goods transport completely emission-free.
Austrian Post is undoubtedly taking a step in the right direction with its switch to HVO. However, the company and others who follow it need to be aware of the potential challenges and problems that this transition may bring. This is the only way to ensure that the switch to HVO actually contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.