Why Bentley is Adopting SAF for Sustainable Air Freight

Bentley Motors has committed to using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for all customer car airfreight movements worldwide, marking a decisive shift in how luxury automotive brands approach logistics decarbonisation.

The policy, which took effect in 2024, targets one of the most carbon-intensive aspects of the global supply chain whilst preserving the service standards that define premium vehicle distribution.

Airfreight remains a controlled component of Bentley's logistics infrastructure, reserved for time-critical deliveries, specific customer requests or market requirements that cannot be met through alternative transport modes.

However, the emissions profile of air transport compared to maritime shipping has long presented a challenge for companies pursuing meaningful climate commitments.

The transition to certified SAF addresses this disparity directly, offering substantial reductions in lifecycle emissions for movements where air transport cannot be avoided.

Aimee Kelly, Head of Sustainability at Bentley Motors, says: "Our transition to using certified Sustainable Aviation Fuel across all customer car airfreight movements reflects how we are taking measurable, evidence based steps to reduce emissions in the parts of our logistics network where flights remain necessary.

"SAF can deliver significant, independently verified reductions in life cycle CO₂e emissions compared with conventional jet fuel and this makes it a meaningful lever within our wider decarbonisation strategy.

"This initiative forms part of Bentley's broader programme to reduce operational and value chain emissions in line with our long-term Net Zero ambition.

"By integrating SAF into our logistics operations in this transparent and verifiable way, we're strengthening the foundations needed to deliver our long-term climate goals, while supporting our customers and markets with more responsible distribution practices."

Decarbonising the distribution model

The logistics sector has faced mounting pressure to address emissions across freight networks, particularly in segments where speed requirements have traditionally necessitated high-carbon transport methods.

For luxury automotive manufacturers, this tension between customer expectations and environmental responsibility has intensified as Scope 3 emissions, those generated across the value chain, come under greater scrutiny from stakeholders and regulatory frameworks.

Airfreight typically generates approximately 40 to 50 times more CO₂ per tonne-kilometre than sea freight, creating a significant emissions hotspot within distribution operations. Bentley's adoption of SAF across its customer car airfreight network could demonstrate how premium brands can maintain service velocity whilst reducing the carbon intensity of their logistics footprint.

The fuel, which is ISCC-certified and produced from renewable or waste-based feedstocks, can reduce lifecycle CO₂e emissions by up to 70 to 95% compared with conventional jet fuel, depending on production pathways and raw materials used.

Infrastructure compatibility and scalability

A key advantage of SAF within current logistics frameworks is its compatibility with existing aircraft and airport infrastructure. Unlike alternative aviation technologies that require new engines, fuel systems or ground handling equipment, SAF functions as a drop-in replacement for conventional jet fuel.

This characteristic could allow logistics providers to reduce emissions without waiting for wholesale fleet replacement or infrastructure overhauls.

Since implementing SAF into its airfreight operations, Bentley has already moved customer vehicles using the alternative fuel, achieving measurable well-to-wheel CO₂e reductions compared with standard aviation fuel.

The company has indicated that early exploration is underway to extend SAF usage across additional logistics routes where airfreight may be required, suggesting a phased approach to expanding the initiative beyond current customer car movements.

Supply chain signals and industry implications

The commitment forms part of Bentley's Beyond100+ strategy, which positions sustainability as a central element of the brand's long-term direction. The strategy encompasses environmental considerations alongside social responsibility and innovation, aiming to redefine luxury mobility through lower-carbon operations and responsible business practices.

By mandating SAF for customer car airfreight, Bentley is also sending a demand signal to fuel producers and logistics partners at a time when SAF availability remains limited and cost premiums persist. When major automotive manufacturers commit to certified sustainable fuels across their distribution networks, it could accelerate infrastructure investment and production scaling within the aviation fuel sector.

The move also places requirements on logistics providers to source and deploy SAF, potentially driving broader adoption across freight networks that serve multiple industries beyond automotive.

The initiative addresses what Bentley describes as one of the more difficult-to-decarbonise elements of luxury automotive operations: global logistics. Whilst electrification and powertrain technology dominate public discussion around automotive sustainability, the emissions associated with how vehicles reach customers represent a substantial yet less visible component of a manufacturer's total carbon footprint.