On the road to zero emission: Colruyt Group temporarily adopts HVO100 biodiesel for goods transport, complementing hydrogen and battery-electric solutions
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Colruyt Group is accelerating its ongoing ambition to achieve zero-emission goods transport. In addition to the deployment and purchase of 20 battery-electric vehicles for its truck fleet, the retailer has recently acquired two hydrogen trucks and is currently testing two 350-bar hydrogen trucks as part of the European innovation project H2Haul. On top of that, Colruyt Group is now switching its remaining diesel-powered trucks to HVO100. This biodiesel is considered a transitional fuel and marks a significant acceleration in the group’s planned emission reduction efforts. From now on, HVO100 will be supplied by partner DATS 24 – initially for exclusive use by Colruyt Group trucks – at two fuchsia-coloured pumps located at distribution centres in Halle and Ollignies.
Unchanged ZET ambitions: zero-emission transport in sight for Colruyt Group
Colruyt Group’s general Zero Emission Transport (ZET) goals remain unchanged: the company aims to ensure that its own freight transport operations are zero-emission by 2030, using battery-electric or hydrogen-electric vehicles that emit nothing. By 2035, the next milestone is set: all goods transport performed by or for Colruyt Group must run entirely on green electricity and green hydrogen. In support of this vision, several major steps have recently been taken. Twenty new electric trucks have been or will soon be put into service, two hydrogen trucks have been purchased, and two additional hydrogen-powered trucks are now operational as part of the H2Haul project.
For the remaining trucks still running on fossil diesel during the transition period, an alternative has been sought – and found: the switch to HVO100.
HVO100 as a Transitional Fuel
Colruyt Group is switching its current diesel-powered heavy transport fleet to HVO100, in collaboration with DATS 24. HVO100 stands for "100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil" and is a fully fossil-free and low CO₂-emission alternative to fossil diesel. This biofuel is entirely produced from biomass. Colruyt Group sees HVO100 as a temporary transitional fuel while awaiting the complete shift to battery-electric and green hydrogen solutions. Koen De Vos, responsible for Supply Chain at Colruyt Group explains: “This move is about reducing our CO₂ emissions more quickly and moving away from fossil fuels. It’s a way to accelerate our efforts in the fight against climate change. We’re aware that there are differing opinions regarding the sustainability of HVO. We’ve done our homework, sought expert advice, and of course we comply with all applicable legislation and carefully select our supplier. We ensure we proceed in the most sustainable way possible.”
Initially, the transition to HVO100 will focus on Colruyt Group’s own diesel-powered fleet. This includes around 15 44-tonne tractor units and approximately 400 rigid trucks (some refrigerated) and delivery vans, serving brands such as Colruyt Lowest Prices, Okay, Solucious, Collect&Go, Fine Food Bread (Roelandt) and Colruyt Group Technics and Real Estate. In the longer term, the aim is to explore how subcontractors working for Colruyt Group can also be involved in this transition.
It's an initiative that is supported by Federal Minister for Mobility, Jean-Luc Crucke: "Colruyt Group is demonstrating today that the climate transition is not a distant dream, but a realistic choice for which companies are already taking responsibility. By fully committing to electric and hydrogen trucks, while temporarily using HVO100, they are setting an example: every step towards phasing out fossil fuels counts. This approach proves that innovation, sustainability and pragmatism can go hand in hand. As gouvernement, we want to actively support these pioneers in their commitment to a zero-emission future."
‘La pompe en rose’
Partner DATS 24 – responsible for the installation and operation – is providing two HVO100 pumps for trucks: one at Zinkstraat in Halle (at the Dassenveld distribution centre) and one at Colruyt Group’s facilities in Ollignies. These high-flow pumps are painted a striking pink colour and will initially be available to a limited number of Colruyt Group users.
DATS 24, for whom this initiative serves as a valuable pilot project, also holds clear ambitions when it comes to alternative, more sustainable fuels and electrification. Jean-Jacques Delmée, Director at DATS 24, states: “At DATS 24, we offer solutions for various stages in the energy transition – we cater to a wide range of needs and demands. In this case, it’s about accelerating the commitment to ZET. HVO is also a transitional fuel for us – not a goal in itself. Our role is to provide expert guidance in the shift from fossil fuels to ZET.”