Could vegetable oil help clean up HGV fleets? Baxi's trial has delivered a 37% emissions reduction

Baxi has reduced emissions from its HGV fleet after switching from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil, better known as HVO.

HVO is a renewable diesel alternative made from waste oils and fats. It can often be used in existing diesel engines without vehicle modifications, which makes it a practical option for fleets looking to lower emissions without replacing vehicles.

After beginning the transition in 2024, Baxi cut HGV emissions from 260 tCO₂e to 163 tCO₂e in 2025 – a 37.3% reduction. With a full rollout across the fleet planned this year, the company expects emissions to fall further.

Transport operations manager Dennis Reed said the switch has also worked operationally. “We’re seeing better miles per gallon now, meaning that HVO is letting us go further while keeping emissions for the fleet at a bare minimum.”

Baxi combined the fuel change with route planning, fuller vehicle loads and driver training to improve efficiency.

For fleets running heavier vehicles where electrification is still difficult because of payload, range or charging constraints, HVO could offer a shorter-term route to emissions reduction. Its availability and cost will vary, but this case shows why transitional fuels are gaining attention while longer-term solutions develop.

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