On the way to cleaner transport
Gilmee Davids (Regenerative Agriculture & Climate Manager) spoke with Michel Hoekman (Logistics Manager) about translating our sustainability ambitions into the 2026 OGSMs.
How can we make our logistics smarter, more sustainable and future-proof?
That's the question Michel has been intensively working on lately. By 2030, Verstegen aims to reduce CO₂ emissions from freight transport by 50% compared to 2018. A significant ambition that requires smart choices and careful consideration.
Michel is currently investigating various scenarios to achieve this reduction and will issue a recommendation, in which he weighs the options against investment costs, expected CO₂ gains, and new legislation and regulations.
A major bottleneck for electrification is the current grid capacity. "We'd like to move towards electric transport," says Michel, "but that requires a more robust connection. Discussions with the grid operator are ongoing."
The available grid capacity is therefore the determining factor in the extent to which we can actually electrify the vehicle fleet in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Michel is also exploring measures that will yield short-term results. For example, he's working on increasing truck utilization by optimizing delivery frequencies. Fewer trips immediately translates to fewer kilometers, costs, and emissions.
In addition, using HVO fuel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) offers a powerful alternative: it reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to regular diesel. Particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions are also significantly lower. A win for both the climate and nature. HVO fuel can also be used in existing fleets without any technical modifications, although it does entail higher fuel costs.
The future is expected to be a combination of various measures. Michel: "We're looking for the right mix of investment, impact, and payback period. Ultimately, we'll decide which route best suits Verstegen."
This is how we are working step by step towards more sustainable logistics and towards achieving our climate goals for 2030.