UK heating-system maker Baxi to transition entire HGV fleet to 100% renewable diesel in 2026

Photo: Baxi

Baxi, a U.K.-based manufacturer and distributor of residential and commercial heating systems, announced in April that it has accelerated progress on the road to net zero by eliminating diesel as its standard heavy-goods vehicle (HGV) fuel and switching to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), reducing HGV fuel emissions by approximately 99 percent.

Baxi began the transition from diesel to HVO in 2024 and has continued the journey into 2026.

Baxi’s shift to HVO has made for an immediate reduction in monthly emissions.

HGV emissions reduced from 260 tons of CO2-equivalent (CO2e) in 2024 to 163 tons of CO2e in 2025—a 37.3 percent decrease.

With the transition to 100 percent HVO fuel across the fleet in 2026, the company anticipates a further 98 percent reduction, bringing total HGV emissions down to approximately 3.5 tons of CO2e.

Supporting the measure, Baxi has addressed planning of HGV routes to avoid unnecessary journeys, increase efficiency and minimize total distance traveled.

This includes optimizing vehicle loads, ensuring trucks are fully utilized to minimize trips and improve overall fuel efficiency.

The company has also introduced regular driver training to promote efficient driving techniques, embed ecofriendly behaviors and improve awareness of fuel-saving practices.

Crucially, the core business needs fulfilled by Baxi’s HGVs continued uninterrupted by the change in fuel.

The drive for sustainability comes as part of Baxi’s journey towards becoming carbon neutral in all operations by 2030.

This has seen energy efficiency become a guiding principle for Baxi’s manufacturing, product developments and logistics. 

“We’re really pleased with how successful and cost-effective the switch to HVO has been,” said Dennis Reed, Baxi’s manager of transport operations. “We’re seeing better miles per gallon now, meaning that HVO is letting us go further while keeping emissions for the fleet at a bare minimum. It’s also proving to be consistently better for the vehicles with no significant changes needed to maintenance.”

The move to HVO indicates how transitional fuels can play a critical role in reducing emissions and protecting the environment now, while Baxi explores what it called “longer-term solutions” such as fleet electrification and alternative drivetrains. 

“The adoption of HVO in place of traditional diesel fuels is a huge step forward that will be followed by further sustainable developments,” said Chloe Bottomley, Baxi’s environment, health and safety advisor. “As a heritage manufacturer of heating and hot-water solutions, celebrating our 160 anniversary this year, we have a responsibility to help homes and businesses move towards cleaner technologies such as heat pumps and heat networks and continue to innovate to drive the energy transition. It naturally follows that we must also transform the way we operate. The move to HVO is just one example of how we are making similar strides in our own internal processes and resourcing to reduce the carbon intensity of our operations.”