In December 2024, our operations and maintenance centre at Labouheyre1 switched to biofuel to reduce the CO2 emissions of its fleet. The switch means that 50% of the 104 km motorway has reduced its carbon footprint.
The Labouheyre fleet runs 20 vehicles, ranging from cars and vans to HGVs and specialist utility vehicles. In total, the vehicles cover over half a million kilometres in a typical year, so the carbon savings potential is substantial. The biofuel enables savings of between 65% and 90% in CO2 emissions, and around 85% in fine particle emissions. Our team calculated that its Labouheyre vehicles emitted around 200 tonnes of CO2 per year, which gives an annual reduction of between 135 and 185 tonnes of CO2 thanks to the biofuel.
A straightforward switch
Instead of classic B7 diesel, the fuel tanks now take HVO100, a 100% renewable fuel based on hydrotreated vegetable oils. Most modern vehicles can use biodiesel (XTL designation on the fuel filler flap), and many older vehicles can too. So, there are no conversion costs to cover, but there are slightly higher running costs. HVO is around 15% more expensive per litre than B7 diesel, with comparable fuel efficiency, which means there are cost implications to be considered.
Our next step is to expand the use of HVO to the Saugnac and Muret sites. To do that, we need to ensure all fleet vehicles are compatible with HVO. Electrifying the fleet is not 100% possible at this time because the vehicle range and the models offered (for example, heavy goods vehicles) are not compatible with fleet needs. However, we are constantly reviewing the market and technology on offer to achieve their sustainability goals.
Sandrine Krieff, Director, Egis comments: “Biofuel is one way of reducing our carbon footprint, but it needs to be combined with other actions to go further. For example, diversifying the sources of energy used (HV0100, green electricity, hydrogen, etc.), and reducing consumption by thinking about speed, kilometres covered, eco-driving, etc. We are working on all these elements.”