At XPO Logistics, taking on challenges is a major part of our DNA. We also appreciate when our customers set big goals for positively impacting the world.
We love working with our partners at the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) as the official transport partner of the Tour De France, and we’re grateful to have done so for more than 40 years.
This year, we wanted to add another element to our work of ensuring the time-critical transport of equipment, fixtures, safety barriers and supplies throughout all the tour’s stages: to make the tour as sustainable as possible, we introduced the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) biofuel in 18 of our trucks during this year’s tour.
When tour organizers approached us about their goal of continuing to make the tour as sustainable as possible by reducing carbon emissions, HVO came to the forefront as a solution we could implement quickly on a large scale, particularly since our tour effort involves a large fleet of more than 40 trucks.
Our trucks will use nearly 49,000 liters of HVO during the tour and will help save up to 129,000 kilograms of CO2. The trucks are filled with HVO prior to the tour, and they have access to XPO-owned site tanks to refuel along the way.
Taking part in a sustainable world-class event
HVO, which is comprised of used oils and animal fats, is readily available in mass production, compatible with any type of truck and can be mixed with diesel.
We’re mindful of the environmental strain it takes to produce HVO, and because of this, we also have a deep interest in exploring gas or electric solutions for our customers. Since these tend to be complex solutions requiring advanced planning and flexibility in execution, we feel HVO is a premier solution for carbon reduction during the tour given its scope.
During the race, most of the logistics planning takes place around the routes of the 21 tour stops, including movements that occur in the early morning or overnight to accommodate the race. In total, our truck movements will cover nearly 4,000 kilometers.
We have two main logistical teams, one for departure and another for arrival. Each has defined responsibilities to ensure that the sites are setup (including tents for the departure village and safety barriers) and dismantled.
While we’ve implemented solutions using HVO before, this is the first time we’re launching it on such a visible, large scale.
Supporting our customers with alternative fleets
Our customers regularly approach us about ways to make their supply chains greener, and HVO is one of the ways we’re helping to reduce carbon emissions. In the future, I think our solutions will comprise a variety of options: HVO, electric, biogas, hydrogen – or a mix of these based on customer needs (what we’re transporting, how far, how frequently, etc.).
I’m confident our team will rise to the challenge of the tour. It’s an exciting event because no two days are alike between the weather and the constantly changing terrain of the courses.
The tour is among the most popular and highly visible sporting events in the world. We’re privileged to be a part of it, and we’re committed to helping make it as sustainable as possible.
Are you exploring your options to reduce the environmental impact of your operations? Depending on your needs and constraints, we can help you define the best alternative solutions for your flows. Please contact us to learn more.
