A collaboration between freight transportation provider Estes, energy company Shell and logistics specialist C.H. Robinson has demonstrated how renewable diesel can be introduced into existing road freight operations, offering a practical approach to reducing the carbon intensity of transportation without requiring investment in new vehicles.
The three companies worked together to deploy more than 390,000 gallons of renewable diesel across Estes’ Texas operations over an initial three-month period, connecting customer demand for lower-carbon freight with fuel availability and existing fleet operations. The project highlights how collaboration across the supply chain can help overcome some of the practical barriers to adopting alternative fuels at scale.
For Estes, the challenge was not simply identifying a lower-carbon fuel, but establishing how its use could be connected to customer shipments in a transparent and measurable way. While renewable diesel offered an opportunity to reduce the lifecycle emissions associated with its fleet, coordinating fuel supply, freight movements and customer requirements required a joined-up approach.
Working alongside Shell and C.H. Robinson, the companies developed a market-based mechanism using the Smart Freight Centre’s framework for logistics emissions accounting. This enabled verified information about renewable diesel consumption and its associated environmental attributes to be connected with participating customer freight shipments, even where the fuel was not physically used to transport an individual shipment. The approach provides a way for customers to support lower-carbon transportation through verified fuel use while improving visibility of the environmental attributes associated with their freight.
The operational trial focused on Houston, with additional fuelling locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area introduced where needed. A key consideration was whether renewable diesel could be supplied reliably enough to support everyday fleet requirements, without creating disruption to existing operations. Estes used the fuel in its current tractors, with no additional vehicle investment or modifications required, and reported no noticeable changes to vehicle performance during the trial.
The results also demonstrated the potential emissions benefits of the fuel itself. According to the companies, the renewable diesel used during the programme had approximately 70% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions intensity than the baseline ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) against which it was compared. This figure relates to the lifecycle emissions intensity of the fuel, rather than representing a 70% reduction in the participating customers’ overall freight emissions.
Renewable diesel, also commonly known as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), is produced using renewable feedstocks such as fats, oils and greases. Unlike conventional biodiesel, it is processed to produce a fuel that is chemically similar to fossil diesel and can be used in compatible existing diesel engines. Shell identifies its renewable diesel as a drop-in alternative, meaning fleets can potentially introduce it without replacing vehicles or making changes to their existing infrastructure, although vehicle manufacturer approval and fuel availability remain important considerations.
For Estes, the project adds to a broader approach to fleet decarbonisation that includes alternative fuels, electric vehicles and operational efficiency improvements. The company already operates electric Class-8 tractors, compressed natural gas vehicles and other lower-emission equipment, demonstrating how different technologies and approaches can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of freight transportation.
The collaboration between Estes, Shell and C.H. Robinson offers an important example of how the transition towards more sustainable logistics depends on more than individual companies investing in new technologies. Connecting fuel producers, freight operators and customers creates opportunities to put existing solutions into practice, while developing the transparency and confidence needed to encourage wider adoption.
There is no single solution to decarbonising global supply chains and different approaches will be needed depending on the operation, infrastructure and commercial requirements involved. However, this project demonstrates that progress does not always have to begin with replacing an entire fleet. By bringing the right organisations together, existing resources and technologies can be used more effectively to deliver meaningful progress.
Join us at Sustainable Logistics LIVE 2026
Collaboration is central to accelerating the transition towards sustainable logistics. At Sustainable Logistics LIVE 2026, taking place on 10 November at the Royal Geographical Society in London, we will bring together sustainability leaders, logistics professionals and supply chain decision-makers to explore the challenges facing the industry and the practical solutions already making a difference.
From alternative fuels and fleet electrification to procurement, regulation and supply chain collaboration, SLL2026 is an opportunity to share knowledge, challenge existing thinking and turn ambition into action. Join us as we explore how working together can help build a smarter, greener and more commercially sustainable logistics sector.
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