Green together: FC Groningen drives sustainably with HVO100

FC Groningen is more than just a Dutch football club. Deeply rooted in the region and driven by a clear social mission, the club aims to get people movin,  both literally and figuratively. Sustainability plays a central role in this ambition. As "the greenest club in the Netherlands", FC Groningen invests not only in athletic performance but also in a sustainable future.

These sustainability ambitions were only strengthened when OG Clean Fuels became the club’s main sponsor in April 2022. Talks soon turned to action by making their vehicle fleet more sustainable. The club's account managers began driving cars powered by Bio-CNG, and eventually the pride of the fleet had to follow: the team coach, provided by transport partner Drenthe Tours.

"We are quite literally the greenest club in the Netherlands, certainly in the top division," says Frank van Mosselveld, CEO of FC Groningen. "Sustainability is in our club’s DNA, and OG Clean Fuels is a perfect fit. Choosing to run the team coach on HVO100 shows how a partnership can truly set things in motion."

Sustainable on the road with Drenthe Tours

For nearly thirty years, the FC Groningen team coach has been provided by Drenthe Tours. This coach company from Assen operates a fleet of thirty vehicles, ranging from minibuses for 15 people to double deckers that can carry up to 90. Director Klaas Jan de Vries stresses that sustainability is no afterthought at his company.

"We can use HVO100 as a diesel alternative in all our coaches. For us, this is a logical step – if it can be cleaner, then that’s what you should do," Klaas Jan explains. "The FC team coach now runs on HVO100, and some clients specifically ask for it. The benefits are clear: reduced carbon emissions, it is odourless, and simply cleaner."

Still, there are challenges. As with many sustainable alternatives, price is a barrier: "HVO100 is more expensive than standard diesel," Klaas Jan continues. "That can be tough for clients to accept, and when it affects their budget, some back out." Nevertheless, for Drenthe Tours, HVO100 is currently the most logical fuel choice for more sustainable operations.

Ready to go in five hours

Klaas Jan, like OG Clean Fuels, sees a future for electric vehicles and hydrogen, but not in the immediate term. "We have ordered our first electric coach, which will be delivered in three months. Two more will follow. We will transition to electric in the coming years, but it’s not yet suitable for long distances. For a client like FC Groningen, that’s just not feasible, given the travel distances for the team coach."

He adds: "We now have a charging station at our depot and can fully charge a coach in five hours. But after 400 kilometres you need to charge again, and there are hardly any charging facilities. No football stadium has a charging point for a coach that is both accessible and practical. That’s another issue. In addition to electric and HVO100, Drenthe Tours has also recently acquired two Bio-CNG coaches that will be used for shuttle services."

Accelerating Sustainable Mobility

Alongside HVO100, OG Clean Fuels focuses on a range of clean fuels, including Bio-CNG, Bio-LNG, green hydrogen, and electricity. While some of these fuels are already widely available, electric still faces significant challenges due to pressure on the Dutch electricity grid.

"Electric trucks are expensive, charging takes time, and hydrogen is far from being widely available," says Wijtze Bakker, Managing Director of OG Clean Fuels Netherlands. "But with HVO100, you can make an impact right now. You can wait until 2030 – or you can start going green today. HVO100 offers an immediate, affordable and effective solution."

OG Clean Fuels believes in a future where various clean fuels shape the transport and mobility sector. "There will be a market for electric and hydrogen. But there is definitely a place for biofuels like HVO100, Bio CNG and Bio-LNG, which is the liquid version of Bio-CNG and offers a longer range."

The most suitable fuel depends on many factors. Does a transport company operate regionally or internationally? Are the routes fixed or varied? "We are happy to visit and provide advice," Wijtze explains. "We believe we have excellent solutions for small and medium sized enterprises, transport firms, and larger companies looking to green their fleets."

OG Clean Fuels also supports companies with certification that proves carbon savings, a valuable asset when bidding for contracts.

Green together, strong together

The partnership between FC Groningen, Drenthe Tours and OG Clean Fuels is a prime example of how sport, mobility and sustainability can work together. The switch to HVO100 proves that going green does not have to be complicated, it just takes the right partners and a willingness to innovate.

“Together green – that was the aim from the start. And when you’re the main sponsor of FC Groningen, you have to take action. It is more than a shared slogan. It is a shared mission that leads to real impact – both on and off the pitch,” concludes Wijtze.

Although OG Clean Fuels’ main sponsorship will end after the 2024–25 season, the company will remain involved with FC Groningen to continue making a difference. Because driving green does not end with the final whistle.