On Friday I attended the launch of Preem’s new biorefinery in Gothenburg. The company is now starting to make diesel 20 percent of which comes from renewable sources such as crude tall oil, a by-product of the pulp industry. This is an important step towards replacing fossil diesel in heavy goods vehicles.

Alternatives such as ethanol and biogas have been around for a while for smaller vehicles. However, Axfood’s company Dagab, which manages the distribution of food to Axfood’s stores, has so far not found a viable alternative for its large vehicles. This new diesel is set to become a key factor in our work to cut carbon emissions from transport.

Until now, Dagab has had to focus on getting as much mileage out of fossil diesel as possible by introducing eco-driving and making its logistics more efficient. Now, for the first time, it is possible to switch fuel on a major scale. Hopefully, progress will be fast and we’ll soon be able to drive on 100 percent renewable fuel.
Perhaps the solution will be multiple fuels for heavy goods vehicles? Both biodiesel and liquid biogas offer exciting potential.