An Post has announced it is switching its fleet of more than 200 heavy goods vehicles from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as it seeks to slash carbon emissions.
The postal company expects to eliminate 6,000 tonnes of CO2 from its operations annual with the move, the equivalent to removing 1,300 diesel cars from Irish roads.
"We’re designing Ireland’s mails and parcels infrastructure for the future, to support Irish business for generations to come, and our commitment to halving carbon emissions by the end of 2025 and achieving net zero by 2030 is at the heart of this," said Garrett Bridgeman, managing director of An Post Mails & Parcels.
The newly published 2024 An Post Sustainability Report shows 39.8% of the company's entire fleet now runs on alternative fuels, including HVO and EVs, and the firm is on track to meet its 50% carbon reduction target by the end of the year.
"This marks a watershed moment for An Post and sustainable transport in Ireland," said Owen Keogh, head of sustainability at An Post.
"The HVO rollout means we can deliver measurable climate impact nationwide — while simultaneously building the infrastructure and mindset essential for net zero success.
"Our progress is down to a continued investment in our fleet, our shift to alternative fuels and enabled by the exceptional colleagues who manage and operate our fleet on a daily basis."
HVO is a renewable fuel derived entirely from waste materials such as used cooking oil and it produces 90% less emissions that conventional diesel per litre, but it requires no modifications to be used in diesel vehicles.
An Post is building on successful trials of HVO in Galway and Cork, which delivered massively reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency compared to diesel.
To support this nationwide implementation, An Post has invested €360,000 in dedicated HVO fuelling infrastructure at its Dublin, Portlaoise and Athlone Mail Centres.
Fuel will be supplied through a strategic long-term partnership with Circle K, with up to 3m litres delivered annually.
The initiative complements An Post's investment in over 1,400 EVs that have been deployed across its delivery network. The company is also advancing biodiversity restoration, sustainable procurement, inclusive employment, and circular economy programmes.
An Post was recently ranked 4th in the world by the International Postal Corporation for sustainability performance and continues to serve as a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Ambassador for Ireland.
Photo: Garrett Bridgeman, managing director of An Post Mails & Parcels, with Russell Gummerson, HGV driver at An Post, and Owen Keogh, head of sustainability at An Post. (Pic: Maxwells Dublin)
