Among the multitude of sustainability goals, SPAR Austria, operating under the umbrella of SPAR Holding AG, focuses on alternative fuels for greener transport. By 2050, SPAR Austria plans to phase out fossil fuels in their logistics and convert to fully renewable energy sources by 2050.   

Since November 2023, trucks in all regions of Austria switched to bio Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) derived from used cooking oil and animal fat from food industry waste. Even though the fuel being sourced is 100% bio-based, it still causes emissions during refinery and fuel transportation stages, however, up to 90% of emissions can be avoided when compared to using fossil diesel. It is estimated that switching to bio-based fuel saves up to 17,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, significantly minimising the carbon footprint of transportation.   

The transition to this fuel can be seamlessly implemented using the same trucks for deliveries, making it a great transition step towards emission-free transport. SPAR Austria expressed a reluctance in the past to use this fuel source due to plant-based oils, such as rapeseed, soybean, or palm oil, potentially competing with other crops for land use during the fuel production process. As a food retailer, SPAR Austria has a clear answer to the ‘plate or tank’ dilemma: food belongs on the plate. Ensuring the HVO fuel is 100% certified and derived from used cooking oils and residues containing no palm oil were key factors for SPAR Austria to adopt this fuel for their vehicles.   

SPAR Austria is a founding member of the Council for Sustainable Logistics at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Austria. As part of this cross-industry research project, they have been examining the necessary charging infrastructure for e-trucks and the economic viability of various zero-emission vehicles, among other solutions.   

SPAR Austria’s logistics team indicates that existing technologies cannot fulfil the technical requirements in terms of range or transport capacity, are not on the market in Austria, or are not economically viable. On the road to truly green logistics, SPAR Austria continues to explore possibilities to introduce hydrogen-powered trucks into the fleet.   

With great CO2 savings, the HVO could potentially be a viable solution for countries where renewable electricity production does not keep up with the demand for greener logistics