Thorlux Lighting’s fleet of delivery vehicles are all now powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil biofuel.
The three Class II Volvo trucks and three Mercedes Sprinter vans have been specially adapted to take the fuel and form part of the company’s comprehensive sustainability strategy.
The biofuel vehicles are complemented by two fully electric vehicles, a Mercedes Sprinter van and a Volkswagen ID. Buzz minivan.
The two electric vans have an approximate 200-mile range and are crucial in delivering Thorlux luminaires to local customers. These vehicles are charged with 100 per cent green energy generated from the 3,000 solar photovoltaic panels at the company’s Redditch headquarters.
The transition to biofuel for its larger vehicles underscores Thorlux’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while waiting for electric or alternative fuel options to become widely available.
The fuel, derived from vegetable oils and waste biomass, offers a lower-carbon alternative to conventional diesel.
Unlike fossil fuels, which release carbon stored underground, its carbon emissions are effectively balanced by the carbon absorbed during the growth of the biomass used in its production. This makes it a renewable and more sustainable fuel choice.
While hydrotreated vegetable oil still produces exhaust fumes, its overall impact on global carbon levels is significantly lower than that of traditional diesel.
Based on figures from the UK government, switching to hydrotreated vegetable oil can yield a reduction in Thorlux emissions of as much as 90 per cent compared to previous diesel vehicles.
Importantly, the biofuel is purchased from members of the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme to ensure it is only made from responsibly sourced waste materials.
Over 83 per cent of the company’s cars are already hybrid or fully electric. It has an ambitious plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
Thorlux Lighting is a gold sponsor and exhibitor at Circular Lighting Live 2026 taking place on Thursday 8 October 2026.
