OD’s Investment in On-Site Fueling
This month, OD will open our 100th on-site fuel center at the Toledo, Ohio service center, as part of our continued investment in on-site fuel stations. These fuel stations are part of a long-standing operational initiative that is focused on ensuring trucks operate at peak performance and ensure efficient routing.
On-site fueling streamlines operations by allowing drivers to fuel up before leaving the service center. This allows them to focus on daily customer routes without needing to find somewhere to refuel, allowing for quicker turnarounds, increased service productivity and less driver downtime.
Additionally, on-site fueling offers better control over fuel quality, ensuring that vehicles are running on the highest quality fuel keeping OD tractors operating at peak performance. This not only optimizes vehicle performance but also contributes to longer engine life, reducing maintenance costs and improving our overall fleet management.
Another key benefit of these on-site fueling stations is that OD incorporates the best possible blends of renewable diesel and biodiesel where available. In OD’s experience, these fuel blends lead to better fuel performance and efficiency than conventional diesel blends. These fuels not only provide great performance, they also help lower OD’s environmental footprint.
By using on-site fuel stations at our service centers, we can reduce travel time, decrease our carbon emissions and align our operations with environmental goals. This holistic approach to fueling is a key factor in our operations strategy.
OD's Use of Sustainable Fuels
When available and economically feasible, OD incorporates either renewable diesel or biodiesel within our fuel network. Both fuels lower greenhouse gas emissions but follow different processing methods and offer unique benefits. This approach ensures consistent fuel quality and availability while promoting sustainable practices.
OD's adoption of renewable diesel and biodiesel spans multiple states. In California and Oregon, for example, 100% of our fuel comes from renewable diesel.
The U.S. Department of Energy defines renewable diesel as a fuel produced from fats and oils such as canola oil, or soybean oil. It is compatible with existing diesel engines without needing modification. This allows logistics providers to reduce their carbon footprint while actually improving performance. Notably, renewable diesel outperforms traditional diesel in terms of mileage, making it an efficient and sustainable option.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils, animal fats from meat processing plants, or recycled cooking grease from restaurants. Its use significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier planet. However, unlike renewable diesel, biodiesel needs to be stored at more specific temperatures and typically needs to be blended with diesel before use, making it tougher to implement into existing infrastructure.
Nationwide, renewable diesel has increased over time, overtaking biodiesel. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that in 2023, renewable diesel consumption in the United States hit a high of over 2 billion gallons.
OD's strategic use of these fuels demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship. By leveraging cleaner energy sources, we ensure our fleet remains at the cutting edge of sustainable transportation. This approach is a key part of our overall fuel strategy.
Expanding Our Sustainability Investment
OD originally started purchasing biodiesel and added renewable diesel to our fuel mix in 2020 and have expanded this investment where it is available and can be incorporated into our service center operations.
Our initiatives increased the share of biodiesel and renewable diesel gallon blends to 17% of our total 2023 fuel supply, which equates to 7.4% of our total bulk sourced fuel on a B100/R100 basis.* OD trucks consumed over 96 million gallons of fuel altogether. By leveraging cleaner energy sources, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also enhance the overall efficiency of our fleet. Inbound Logistics News has listed OD as one of their Green 75 (G75) Supply Chain Partners List for over 10 years. This partnership reflects OD’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.
How Shippers Benefit from OD’s Fuel Program
As we open our 100th fuel center in November, we not only mark a significant milestone but also reinforce our commitment to efficient operations.
By leveraging both renewable diesel and biodiesel when available, we can ensure our fleet remains at the cutting edge of sustainable transportation.
For our customers, our on-site and renewable energy investments allow us to pick up and deliver more efficiently and have more reliable equipment that enables timely deliveries.
When you choose OD, you can have confidence knowing you have chosen to partner with a freight provider dedicated to providing a strong customer experience, productive operations, and minimizing environmental impact.
*17.2% represents blended bio/renewable fuels with a blend ratio anywhere from 2-99%.