Kent’s Europa to run routes on low-carbon fuel for DPD Netherlands

Europa Road has signed a contract with DPD Netherlands to run new daily line hauls between the UK and Netherlands using cleaner fuel.

Its vehicles will run exclusively on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO-100), replacing diesel.

The transition comes as the EU and UK announce new targets for the road freight industry, calling for operators to reduce emissions 42 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.

Opened in 2015 close to the Dartford Crossing, Europa Road’s 26,368 sq m transit hub has seen a 15 per cent increase year on year in the volume of European road freight, and a record 40,000 consignments a month pass through the terminal.

Stuart McKie, regional manager for Europa Road, explained how the company plans to adopt the use of HVO-100 on DPD movements.

“Phase one of the implementation is for the ecommerce line hauls flowing from Netherlands (Eindhoven) to the UK (Hinckley)”, he said.

“This consists of two trailers per day, five days a week.

“We’ve committed to replacing 30,000 km worth of diesel fuel with HVO-100, a major condition of this important new contract with DPD Netherlands.”

According to Nationwide Fuels, HVO-100 fuel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90 per cent, particulate matter emissions by up to 84 per cent and nitrous oxide emissions by up to 27 per cent.

It’s a biodegradable, nontoxic fuel solution made from 100 per cent raw material, providing a direct replacement for on- and offroad diesel.

Maurice Loef, line haul director at DPD Netherlands, added: “I’ve been in this business for more than 15 years, and what I’m most excited about right now is our journey to transition away from fossil fuels.

“Currently, our Netherlands to UK operation completes more than 176,000 km a year.

“I predict that by the end of Q2 2024, 50 per cent of all line hauls out of DPD Netherlands will be running on HVO fuel.

“I’m happy that Europa Road will be operating two full loads a day from the Netherlands to the UK, which represents 1,300 km a day on HVO fuel.”

In 2023, Europa announced new partnerships with Microlise, a telematics and fleet management solution, and Pledge, a platform for logistics businesses to report and offset greenhouse gas emissions.