What is Shell Renewable Diesel and how can it help your fleet?
Shell Renewable Diesel explained by Steve Clarke, Marketing Manager, Fleetmaxx Solutions
If you are looking at ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your fleet, you have probably come across Shell Renewable Diesel, often referred to as HVO100.
One of the questions I hear most often from fleet operators is simple:
“Do I need to change my vehicles?”
The good news is that for many businesses, the answer is no.
Shell Renewable Diesel has been designed as a lower-carbon alternative to conventional diesel that can be used in many existing diesel vehicles, helping businesses reduce emissions while continuing to operate the vehicles they already own.
That means no expensive vehicle replacement programme, no new refuelling infrastructure and no disruption to your day-to-day operations.
What is Shell Renewable Diesel?
Shell Renewable Diesel is a low-carbon fuel produced from renewable feedstocks, including waste and residue materials such as used cooking oil.
Yes, really.
The cooking oil that once helped fry chips can be transformed into a fuel capable of helping power commercial vehicles across the UK and Europe.
Rather than relying on fossil-based feedstocks, Shell Renewable Diesel makes use of renewable materials that can help reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions when compared to conventional diesel.
According to Shell, in certain European markets, Shell Renewable Diesel can offer between 80% and 90% lower lifecycle CO2e emissions compared to conventional B7 diesel.
For fleet operators under increasing pressure to reduce emissions, it provides a practical route towards lower-carbon transport without requiring significant operational changes.
The same fleet. The same refuelling process.
One of the biggest advantages highlighted by Shell is the simplicity of the transition.
Your drivers continue to use the same vehicles.
They visit the same fuel stations.
They follow the same refuelling process.
The difference is the fuel being pumped into the tank.
For many fleets, this makes Shell Renewable Diesel one of the easiest carbon reduction initiatives to implement because it requires very little operational change.
Businesses can continue running their existing diesel fleets while taking steps towards their sustainability and environmental goals.
As Shell puts it, it is the same fleet, the same engine and the same refuelling process. The only thing that changes is the carbon intensity of the fuel.
Supporting your decarbonisation journey
Across the transport industry, fleet operators are looking for realistic ways to reduce emissions.
While electric vehicles, hydrogen and other technologies continue to develop, many fleets still rely heavily on diesel-powered vans, trucks and commercial vehicles.
Shell Renewable Diesel offers a solution that can be implemented today.
Rather than waiting years for fleet replacement cycles or investing heavily in alternative vehicle technologies, businesses can begin reducing emissions immediately through their fuel choice.
This makes Shell Renewable Diesel particularly attractive to organisations with sustainability targets that need practical actions today rather than theoretical solutions tomorrow.
Documentation and reporting support
For many fleet managers, reducing emissions is only part of the challenge.
Increasingly, businesses need to demonstrate and report on their environmental performance.
Shell highlights that in some European markets it provides product statements containing lifecycle greenhouse gas emission data verified by independent third-party auditors.
This additional transparency can help businesses better understand the environmental impact of their fuel choices and support sustainability reporting requirements.
For organisations measuring and reporting environmental performance, having access to independently verified information can provide valuable peace of mind.
The benefits of Shell Renewable Diesel explained:
Built for real-world fleet operations
A lower-carbon fuel is only useful if it performs when your business needs it.
Whether you operate local delivery vans, regional service vehicles or long-haul HGVs, reliability remains critical.
Shell Renewable Diesel has been developed for a wide range of commercial applications, including:
• Medium-duty fleets
• Heavy-duty fleets
• Local distribution operations
• Regional transport fleets
• Long-haul operators
Shell also highlights the fuel’s performance in colder conditions, including improved engine start performance when compared with conventional diesel.
For operators working throughout the winter months, this is an important consideration and demonstrates that lower-carbon fuels do not have to mean compromising on performance.
Ready for long-haul and urban fleets
Another point highlighted in Shell’s latest video is versatility.
Whether your vehicles are crossing borders, travelling hundreds of motorway miles each day or making multiple city centre deliveries, Shell Renewable Diesel is designed to support a wide range of operating environments.
This flexibility makes it suitable for many different fleet sectors including:
- Logistics and haulage
- General transport
- Construction
- Utilities
- Service and maintenance fleets
- Distribution businesses
- Regional delivery operators
Wherever your vehicles operate, Shell Renewable Diesel provides an opportunity to reduce emissions without changing established fleet operations.
The Shell Renewable Diesel network continues to grow
Availability is often one of the biggest questions when businesses consider alternative fuels.
The good news is that the Shell Renewable Diesel network continues to expand, with more locations being added across Europe and the UK.
Fleetmaxx Solutions customers can already access Shell Renewable Diesel at selected participating Shell locations, with additional sites expected to become available as demand continues to grow.
As availability increases, more businesses will be able to integrate lower-carbon fuels into their operations without compromising convenience.
Which fuel cards can be used to purchase Shell Renewable Diesel?
One of the questions we are already being asked by customers is how they can access Shell Renewable Diesel through Fleetmaxx Solutions.
The good news is that several of our Shell fuel card products can be used to purchase Shell Renewable Diesel at participating Shell locations.
Whether you operate HGVs, vans, company cars or a mixed fleet, we have a Shell fuel card to suit your requirements.
Shell Maxx Card
Our exclusive Shell Maxx Card offers fixed weekly petrol and diesel pricing across approximately 3,800 filling stations throughout the UK.
For businesses looking for greater control over fuel costs, combined with access to Shell Renewable Diesel where available, the Shell Maxx Card is an excellent choice.
Shell Fleet Fuel Card
The Shell Fleet Fuel Card provides access to an extensive multi-network fuel solution, accepted at Shell, Esso and Texaco locations nationwide.
It is ideal for businesses that require maximum coverage and flexibility while still benefiting from access to participating Shell Renewable Diesel sites.
Shell CRT Fuel Card
The Shell CRT Fuel Card has been specifically designed for commercial road transport operators.
Customers can save up to 10p per litre on Shell diesel while accessing one of the UK’s leading HGV fuel networks. With hundreds of HGV-friendly locations and access to Shell Renewable Diesel at participating sites, it remains a popular choice for transport and logistics businesses.
Shell Hybrid Fuel Card
For fleets operating a combination of diesel, petrol and electric vehicles, the Shell Hybrid Fuel Card offers the flexibility to manage all vehicle energy requirements through a single solution.
Businesses can purchase conventional fuels, access Shell Renewable Diesel where available and charge electric vehicles using one convenient card.
Which Shell fuel card is right for your business?
Every fleet is different.
Some businesses prioritise fixed weekly pricing, while others need maximum network coverage or a solution that supports both conventional and electric vehicles.
Whatever your requirements, Fleetmaxx Solutions can help identify the right Shell fuel card and advise where Shell Renewable Diesel is available within the network.
Our experienced fuel card specialists work with businesses of all sizes, from sole traders operating a single vehicle through to national fleets running hundreds of vehicles.
Shell Renewable Diesel with Fleetmaxx Solutions
At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we help businesses find practical ways to reduce fuel and fleet costs while supporting their wider operational goals.
Shell Renewable Diesel represents another option for businesses looking to balance environmental responsibility with operational efficiency.
The most exciting aspect for many fleet operators is that action can be taken today.
No waiting.
No vehicle replacement programme.
No costly infrastructure investment.
Just a practical lower-carbon fuel solution that can work with many existing diesel fleets.
As the transport sector continues its journey towards lower emissions, Shell Renewable Diesel offers a practical bridge between today’s diesel fleets and tomorrow’s transport technologies.
Lower emissions. Same fleet. Ready now.
To find out more about Shell Renewable Diesel or any of our Shell fuel card solutions, call Fleetmaxx Solutions today on 01367 704 910.
Our team would be delighted to help you find the right fuel card and the nearest participating Shell Renewable Diesel location.
Shell Renewable Diesel Now Available At Selected UK Filling Stations
Shell Renewable Diesel is currently available at the following Shell filling stations:
- Ron Perry A19 Northbound, A19 Northbound, Easington, County Durham, TS27 3HH
- Ron Perry A19 Southbound, A19 Southbound, Easington, County Durham, TS27 3HH
- Exelby A19 Northbound, A19 Northbound, Ingleby Arncliffe, Northalleton, DL6 3JT
- Exelby A19 Southbound, A19 Southbound, Ingleby Arncliffe, Northalleton,DL6 3JX
- Exelby Whitwood, Wakefield Road, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 5QH
- Exelby Coneygarth, Coneygarth Services, A1(M), Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, DL7 9EG
These locations give fleets easy access to Shell Renewable Diesel across key transport routes, helping reduce emissions without changing vehicles or interrupting day to day operations.
Other Shell quality fuels available with a Shell Fuel Card from Fleetmaxx
Shell Renewable Diesel: Disclaimer
- When switching from diesel. Based on Shell’s operability studies and market experience to date. Vehicle handbook and/or label at the fuel tank socket must be checked for OEM approval. Not applicable for passenger cars.
- Compliant with the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II including but not limited to feedstocks listed under the Annex IX-A and IX-B.
- between 65%-90% CO2e.
- CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) refers to CO2, CH4 and N2O.
- Calculated by comparing to the UK’s 2025 RTFO & SAF Mandate Technical Guidance fossil fuel comparator (FFC) carbon intensity of 94 gCO2e/MJ. The FFC used may not reflect the specific fuel type utilised by the customer (e.g., B7 or other bio-blended market representative diesel). Therefore, the actual CO2e emissions savings may differ.
- Product life cycle CO2e emissions are associated with the production and use of a specific product, from well to wheel, including emissions from feedstock production and collection, processing, storage, transport, distribution and combustion. Designed to reduce refuelling time and allow a fuel tank refill which helps increase operating hours of your fleet (on the road/in the field/on-site).
- Compared to EN590 B7 diesel.
- Based on Shell proprietary methods. Applicable to vehicles of all ages that are equipped with a DPF. Actual effects and benefits may vary according to vehicle type, vehicle condition and driving style. Compared to EN590 B7 diesel.
