VCHD Cargo Runs on Emission-Free HVO Fuel

The international transport company VCHD Cargo has begun testing the operation of its long-distance route exclusively on HVO, a hydrogenated diesel from renewable sources.

The nearly 2,000-kilometer-long route from Germany to Denmark and back runs five times a week with 80 percent fewer emissions compared to conventional fuel.

HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is a renewable fuel produced from used vegetable oils and animal fats from the food industry or agricultural residues. It is made through a hydrogenation process that removes impurities and undesirable compounds. HVO is a high-quality synthetic fuel characterized by its low sulfur content. HVO manufacturers report that HVO has better cetane number, improved combustion, reduced deposit formation, and better long-term storage stability compared to conventional diesel. Most importantly, it has significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions (up to 70-90%).

“We are aware of the demands of modern society and international climate protection efforts and are looking for ways to implement freight transport in the future,” says Ing. Petr Kozel, CEO and Chairman of the Board of VCHD Cargo a.s., adding: “For long-distance transport to destinations thousands of kilometers away, there is no mature zero-emission series technology on the market yet, but the use of combustion engines with 100% biofuel could be one of the solutions. That’s why we decided to test HVO fuel.”

VCHD Cargo specializes in long-distance line haul transport. The company operates a fleet of 330 vehicles, running 112 regular line hauls to numerous European countries. The HVO test route to and from Denmark was chosen by the company specifically because of the high density of HVO filling stations in the Scandinavian countries.

Interim results from the HVO fuel on VCHD Cargo’s long-distance route indicate that HVO is an equally sustainable option to conventional diesel, does not change the driving characteristics of the vehicle, and – most importantly – provides an option to reduce the carbon footprint of freight transport without switching to alternative fuels. The drawback is the lack of filling stations. “Our experience shows that consumption varies and vehicles may have higher consumption compared to diesel. However, the slightly higher price and consumption of HVO is still much cheaper than an electric truck and also brings the significant benefit of lower emissions. From our perspective, it is currently the only sensible low-emission solution for international long-distance transport where vehicles hardly stop. Additionally, by collaborating with a fuel supplier that offers excellent reporting and other additional services, we can demonstrate the actual benefits of environmentally friendly transport to our customers in the form of figures and certificates,” concludes Petr Kozel.

About Völker Logistik:

Völker Logistik, headquartered in central Germany’s Alsfeld, has excellent connections to the German highway network and manages 1,300 m² of storage space for short and long-term storage or transshipment. The company has its own fleet and places great emphasis on using the latest technology; all vehicles meet the EURO VI standard, and it prioritizes economy and environmental consciousness. As a family business, Völker Logistik has earned an exceptional reputation in the industry over the past fifteen years, primarily due to its high level of expertise, first-class consulting, successful training measures, and punctuality. For more information about Völker Logistik, visit www.voelker-logistik.de.

About VCHD Cargo:

The family business VCHD Cargo a.s. was founded in 1997 in the Czech Republic and specializes in international export and import road transport. Since 2019, it has been operating in Germany through its subsidiary VCHD Cargo GmbH. The company offers system transport, operating 112 regular freight services to many European countries. The company’s own fleet of more than 220 trucks allows for both FTL (Full Truck Load) and LTL (Less than Truck Load) transport, including ADR shipments. Thanks to a balanced customer portfolio and Europe-wide know-how, the company can transport pallet shipments of small volume in record time. The VCHD Cargo Group employs 428 people in Europe. For more information about VCHD Cargo, visit www.vchd.cz/en.