This biofuel is a synthetic renewable diesel fuel, produced from various vegetable oils, fats or waste oils, treated with hydrogen. It drastically reduces the worksite carbon footprint, enables our branches to keep their fuel costs stable and requires no structural modifications. It can be used pure or mixed with traditional diesel in existing diesel engines, and performs similarly to or better than fossil diesel in terms of power and consumption.
For over a year now, employees at our works centres in Nîmes (30), Apt (84) and Arles (13) have been using HVO100 on worksites. “We’ve replaced road diesel (or white diesel) and red non-road diesel in the tanks at our three works centres,” explained Operations Manager Paul De Los Santos. "We didn't need to change our diesel-powered vehicles nor our habits. Refuelling with HVO100 is just the same as before," he continued.
By cutting CO2 emissions by 80%, HVO100 (a 100% renewable biofuel that complies with the EN15940 standard) can be used to deliver low-carbon projects for our clients, energy suppliers, local authorities and the private sector. Its combustion also emits fewer regulated pollutants: NOx, HC, CO and particles. “In real terms, our Nîmes branch has already converted seven HGVs, four site machines and eight vans to HVO100, plus the Apt branch’s four site machines, as well as the three mini-excavators and backhoe loader at the Arles branch,” went on Paul De Los Santos.
We have not seen any significant increase in the fuel budget. The cost of HVO100 is the same as conventional diesel, give or take a few centimes. Energy suppliers issue a certificate showing the annual consumption of HVO100 to encourage fuel switching. This document, which is attached to tenders, is proof of a virtuous commitment to decarbonization.
"In 2024, under the impetus of our regional management, I took an MCP course at EIFFAGE University, where one module was dedicated to ecological transition and the environment. The topics proposed by Eiffage Group encouraged me to implement concrete solutions in our branches. Our business managers have thus taken the subject in hand by implementing excavation and backfilling methods based on the reuse of materials, electric tools, electric compaction, electric management cars and HvO100-type fuel changes", Paul De Los Santos concluded, with an example.
The switch to HVO100 is part of a global decarbonization approach that goes beyond site mobility. At Eiffage Énergie Systèmes, implementing low-carbon solutions requires the commitment of all our teams to a more sustainable future.
