Logistics company Howard Tenens has claimed that it is on track to reduce its average fleet emissions by 46% by 2030. The firm, which has 23 locations across the country, employs over 850 people and operates a fleet in excess of 500 vehicles.
It began exploring more sustainable alternatives to traditional fuel – such as biomethane and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) – in 2021 and has since reduced carbon emissions from its forklift trucks and materials handling equipment (MHE) by shifting to a 40% bioLPG/LPG blend, which it says produces up to 33% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to standard liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Following successful trials at its Andover, Swindon and Boston sites in 2021 and 2022, Howard Tenens has now rolled out HVO at all of its sites with bunkered facilities.
Pete Evans, strategic operations director at Howard Tenens, said: “Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at Howard Tenens. Throughout our company we’re dedicated to driving down greenhouse gas emissions, minimising our environmental footprint and making positive change.
“Many of our customers have challenging environmental targets to meet so are looking for suppliers with green credentials when moving goods and we’re increasingly witnessing the value of the environmental solutions we offer.”
He went on to explain: “We were one of the first companies to trial compressed natural gas (CNG) in 44-tonne HGV trucks 15 years ago. Since then we’ve come a long way and last year our environmental initiatives reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 17% compared to the previous year, which was achieved through the use of HVO and biomethane in our fleet, bioLPG MHE, solar panels, and purchasing 100% renewable electricity at all our owned sites, figures which were independently verified.
“Renewable fuels accounted for a third of the fuel used in our commercial vehicle fleet last year. We’re continuing to use HVO as much as possible, although this remains dependent on the cost premium over diesel which has fluctuated hugely in volume over the past year.
In the long term, Howard Tenens plans to move away from fossil fuels and shift to battery electric technologies powered by renewables, in pursuit of its target to reach net zero by 2045. To support progress towards this goal, the third-party logistics provider has installed over seven Megawatts peak of solar photovoltaic panels across its own estate – enough, it says, to generate 5,000,000 kWh of green electricity every year.
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