With the desire to be as carbon conscious as possible throughout the entirety of the supply chain, sustainable fleets are becoming commonplace across the globe. Big organisations are swapping out diesel and petrol vehicles in favour of those run by electricity or alternative fuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) diesel – such as PepsiCo and Amazon, which are using HVO to power their vehicles.

These new fuelling methods come with a range of benefits, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to providing greater operational efficiency by employing the latest technological advancements. One company making such changes is PostNL and its subsidiary, Spring Global. Thijs Boel, Managing Director at Spring, says the companies’ prominence in the European e-commerce market means they feel an “urgent responsibility to contribute to a sustainable society.”

And PostNL and Spring are backing this up, recently announcing the infusion of four million litres of HVO100 into Europe’s diesel network for road transport. 

Thijs began his professional career in 2002 as an Operations Manager at TNT Post, which was part of PostNL at the time. He went on to hold various roles in the operational segment of the mail division, encompassing both operational management and restructuring projects. After several years working on Corporate Strategy projects, he relocated to Italy to serve as a Programme Manager at TNT Post-Italy. When he returned to the Netherlands, he developed his skills at PostNL’s international division, where his roles included Director of International Special Projects and Director of Strategy, Development, and Marketing. In these positions, he oversaw the transformation programme into cross-border e-commerce services. In 2018, he assumed the role of Managing Director of Spring Europe, under which he achieved growth of more than 400%.

Prioritising sustainability

Thijs says PostNL and Spring are working every day to improve the impact of their supply chains. One instance is the switch to emission-free logistics and working with the market on circular economy solutions. Both companies have further refined their climate strategy and submitted more ambitious carbon emissions targets to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

“Spring is looking to have virtually no impact on climate and environment by 2040, a decade ahead of climate agreements,” he adds. “By upscaling sustainable fuels, it has made another big stride in achieving this goal.”

In December 2023, PostNL maintained its position among the top three most sustainable transport and logistics companies globally, as reported by S&P Global on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). It has consistently ranked in the top ten for many years, scoring highest in its sector for Environment & Climate. 

The organisation received a Gold certificate from Ecovadis earlier this year, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability. CEO Herna Verhagen was among those to express pride in these achievements, highlighting the company's dedication to social responsibility and sustainability for people, planet and society.

Improving the fleet

Across PostNL and Spring’s fleet, several measures have been implemented in the name of eco-friendliness. 

These include transitioning to cleaner fuels, incorporating biogas extensively in smaller trucks and vans and increasing the use of HVO100 in the Dutch and international network, a fossil-free diesel fuel that reduces carbon emissions by 90% compared with regular diesel fuels. A progressive adoption of electric vehicles has also been taking place. Until the fleet is fully electrified, the aim is to offset any remaining carbon emissions at Spring from both its own transport and that of its delivery partners.

Furthermore, there is the promotion of efficient driving, utilising fuel-efficient cars and encouraging drivers to be mindful of the environment while driving. In addition, prioritising walking and cycling for letter and package deliveries in the Netherlands. 

“This not only reduces emissions but also promotes a healthier lifestyle for our employees,” Thijs goes on. 

“We’re focusing on network efficiency. Our aim is to operate efficiently and avoid unnecessary kilometres. This is achieved by collaborating more closely in the chain, bundling deliveries and promoting solutions such as reducing air in packaging, delivering at PostNL points or using our sustainable pallet boxes. 

“Our ultimate goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 for our entire business, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement. We have set a near-term target to deliver all letters and parcels emission-free in the last mile in the Benelux countries by 2030 at the latest. As an interim goal, we aim to deliver emission-free in 25 Dutch city centres by 2025.”

The advantages of HVO100

HVO100 presents several distinct advantages over battery-electric or hydrogen-powered fleets. 

It is immediately available at a modest premium compared to regular diesel, eliminating the need for any alterations or investments in existing diesel-powered fleets. This immediate availability facilitates scalability, a crucial factor considering the necessary investments still required for battery-electric and hydrogen-powered alternatives to truly advance towards sustainable transportation. 

“The advantages of HVO100 lie in its immediate availability, scalability, and broader applicability, making it a strong contender in the push towards more sustainable transportation solutions,” adds Thijs. 

PostNL and Spring’s newly-established standard allows HVO100 to be scaled through a market-based reporting solution.

Thijs continues: “This innovative approach enables not only fleet owners but also non-fleet owners to directly address their Scope 3 emissions. 

“Furthermore, HVO100 is a drop-in fuel, meaning it can be used in diesel engines without any modifications. This feature significantly reduces the transition costs for businesses. 

“HVO100 is produced from 100% renewable and sustainable raw materials, which further enhances its environmental benefits.”

Unlike electric and hydrogen fleets, HVO100 does not rely on the grid, making it a more reliable option in areas where grid stability is a concern.

HVO100’s immense potential

While HVO100 already offers a range of benefits, there is still scope for more. 

At present, HVO100 stands as one of the most effective solutions for the transportation sector to drastically and immediately reduce CO2 emissions. 

Compliant with the EU diesel standard EN15940, HVO100 boasts up to 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil diesel. 

“We find ourselves in a transitional phase where long-term solutions, such as electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, are not yet scalable for long-distance freight transport,” Thijs explains. “As it stands, HVO100 is the optimal choice for current road freight, paving the way towards sustainable long-distance transport.”

What next for PostNL and Spring’s sustainable fleet?

Thijs adds that PostNL and Spring are committed to expanding the network availability of HVO100, with the aim of enabling direct fuelling along all their routes throughout Europe. 

They are also exploring solutions to enhance the sustainability of their mail and parcel shipments that travel by air, potentially through the use of biofuels such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). 

“In the coming years, we will also pilot the use of electric-powered trucks on relatively short-distance international routes,” Thijs highlights. “We’re actively seeking additional collaboration opportunities throughout our supply chain to utilise more circular materials and shared asset solutions. This approach aligns with our ongoing efforts to develop strategies to achieve our SBTi goals.”

The sustainable fleet of tomorrow

Sustainability efforts are constantly evolving and who knows what sort of improvements will be made in the coming years.

Thijs expects his own company’s fleet to undergo significant changes in line with sustainability goals. 

“We’re aiming for our entire fleet to be completely net zero by 2030, meaning all our vehicles will be powered by clean energy sources, reducing our carbon footprint to zero,” he concludes. “This includes not only our delivery vans and trucks but also any smaller vehicles used for last-mile deliveries. 

“In addition to our own fleet, we’re also committed to ensuring our contracted fleet through partners achieves net-zero status by 2040. This means any third-party logistics providers we work with will also need to align with our sustainability goals. 

“These changes will likely involve a shift towards electric vehicles and potentially other forms of clean energy such as hydrogen fuel cells. We also anticipate advancements in vehicle efficiency and design that could further reduce our environmental impact.”

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