ARGENT FUELS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH BUS OPERATOR, TRANSDEV FOR SUPPLY OF BIODIESEL
Argent Fuels, a supplier of environmentally friendly fuel in the UK, has announced a partnership with Transdev, a prominent bus operator in the North of England. The collaboration will reduce carbon emissions by over 3,600 tonnes per year through the use of sustainable biodiesel.
Under the agreement, Argent Fuels will assist Transdev in transitioning its entire UK fleet, spread across 10 operating centres in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, to High Blend Fuel. This fuel will displace 15% (and later 25%) of fossil diesel with Argent Energy’s waste-based biodiesel.
ARGENT’S BIODIESEL
Argent Fuels is part of Argent Energy Group, a leading European manufacturer of waste-based biofuels in the UK and the Netherlands. The biodiesel supplied by Argent Fuels will be produced on-site in the UK with full distillation, using only waste-certified material , resulting in a high-quality product that achieves approximately a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional fossil fuel.
Argent Fuels will blend the sustainable second-generation biodiesel directly with regular diesel on-site and supply it to Transdev as High Blend Fuel.
A ‘DROP-IN’ REPLACEMENT
Transdev will be using a B15 blend, consisting of 15% biodiesel blended with 85% low sulphur diesel, across their fleet. This switch will cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 3,612 tonnes per year, the equivalent to removing 1,745 cars off the roads. This measurement includes all the savings the bus operator will receive, encompassing not just CO₂ but also other GHGs.
Currently, the sector relies on blends of 1 – 7% biodiesel (B7), making Transdev’s commitment to shift to a B15 blend a big improvement in sustainability alongside their preparations for electrification. In the future, Transdev plans to transition to a higher blend of B25, further enhancing their carbon savings.
TRANSDEV’S PROGRESS
Transdev’s dedication towards sustainability is clear, and their proactive approach to finding sustainable solutions for their existing diesel vehicles, alongside their plans for electrification is commendable. The company has been at the forefront of electric bus technology and was the first operator in Britain to introduce eight ‘opportunity charged’ electric buses in 2018, with an additional 71 fully electric buses expected to be delivered over the next three years.
THE PARTNERSHIP
Transdev Operations Director Vitto Pizzuti said: “Completing our switch to this lower emission fuel is helping us to achieve environmental benefits now, and on a commercially viable basis. Biodiesel is 100% biodegradable, less toxic than table salt and is derived from renewable sources.
“At 15% concentration, biodiesel is significantly reducing emissions compared with regular diesel fuel – and without damaging engine components. And the benefits are happening right here and now across all 10 of our operating centres, as we prepare for the keenly-anticipated replacement of our entire Harrogate bus fleet with 71 new fully-electric buses.”
Argent applauds Transdev’s decision to move to a higher blend, and Colin Duke, Head of Sales at Argent said “We are excited to embark on this partnership with Transdev to help them accomplish significant carbon reductions across their fleet. Transdev were looking for an immediate solution for their existing diesel fleet whilst they are on the road to electrification, and High Blend Fuel provides exactly that.
High Blend Fuel serves as a stepping stone and plays a vital role in the broader context of Net Zero. It has its place and acts as a transitional measure alongside a combination of other solutions, including electric alternatives. We are thrilled to collaborate with Transdev on this journey”.
THE HERE AND NOW
High Blend Biodiesel Fuel can be readily implemented without requiring modifications to existing infrastructure, and it incurs minimal to no cost increase. This fuel offers a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and provides an immediate solution for those hard-to-decarbonise sectors. By providing environmental benefits in the present, Transdev takes a meaningful step in taking thousands of cars off the road every year, leading the path towards greener bus operations.
