US Tech and Dutch Biofuel Forge Path for Greener Trucking in Europe

PITTSBURGH, PA & KAMPEN, NETHERLANDS – April 07, 2026 – In a significant move to accelerate the decarbonization of European road transport, US-based Optimus Technologies has partnered with Dutch producer Sunoil Biodiesel to bring a 100% biodiesel (B100) solution to heavy-duty fleets across the Netherlands. The partnership, marking Optimus's formal entry into the European market, combines advanced engine technology with a reliable supply of waste-based fuel, offering a turnkey pathway for trucking operators to achieve near-zero carbon emissions with their existing vehicles.

This collaboration aims to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in the climate crisis: the heavy-duty transport sector. While accounting for just 2% of vehicles on European roads, heavy-duty trucks are responsible for a disproportionate 28% of the transport sector's CO2 emissions. The new venture provides a practical, immediate solution for an industry under increasing pressure from customers and regulators to clean up its act.

An Immediate Fix for a Hard-to-Abate Sector

While electrification and hydrogen are often touted as the ultimate future for trucking, their widespread adoption faces significant hurdles, including high upfront costs, limited vehicle availability, and infrastructure challenges like electricity grid congestion—a noted issue in the Netherlands. The Optimus-Sunoil partnership offers a pragmatic alternative that bridges the gap between today's diesel-dominated fleets and a zero-emission future.

The core of the solution is Optimus's Vector System, a bolt-on hardware upgrade that enables standard diesel engines to run on 100% pure biodiesel. This allows fleet owners to repurpose their existing assets rather than undertaking a costly and operationally disruptive fleet replacement. The system intelligently manages fuel, ensuring seamless performance and reliability across all operating environments.

"There is no faster or more cost-effective way to decarbonize heavy-duty fleets than enabling existing trucks to run on 100% biodiesel," said Colin Huwyler, Chief Executive Officer of Optimus Technologies, in a statement. "Our partnership with Sunoil proves that with the right combination of technology and fuel supply, near-zero carbon emissions are achievable today. Together we're creating a repeatable blueprint for scaling B100 adoption globally."

The Power of Waste: Fueling the Transition

Central to the partnership's viability is Sunoil's role as a major producer of sustainable, waste-based biofuel. Operating two facilities in the Netherlands with a combined capacity of over 120 million liters per year, Sunoil converts feedstocks like used cooking oil and other waste fats into high-grade biodiesel. This process not only provides a low-carbon fuel—Sunoil claims its product reduces CO2 emissions by 90% compared to fossil diesel—but also contributes to a circular economy by valorizing waste streams.

Sunoil's commitment is underscored by its decision to equip its own private fleet with the Optimus Vector System, running its trucks on the very fuel it produces. This move serves as a powerful real-world demonstration of the technology's effectiveness and reliability. The company holds key certifications, including ISCC EU (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification), ensuring its production meets the stringent sustainability criteria mandated by the European Union.

"This partnership allows us to go beyond supplying fuel and deliver a complete solution for fleets looking to reduce emissions today in an affordable manner," stated Jeroen Hovius, Chief Commercial Officer of Sunoil. "We enable fleet owners to run on 100% biodiesel within their existing operations, while maintaining performance and improving the overall business case."

Proven Performance on a Global Scale

While new to the European market, Optimus Technologies arrives with a well-established track record. The company reports that its Vector System has been deployed in over 1,000 trucks worldwide, accumulating more than 300 million kilometers of road-tested performance. This extensive operational data provides a foundation of reliability that is crucial for an industry where downtime is a critical cost factor.

A landmark 16-month, 1.3 million-mile field trial with ADM Trucking in the United States provided compelling evidence of the system's benefits. Trucks equipped with the Vector System and running on B100 not only reduced Scope 1 carbon emissions by over 940 metric tons but also demonstrated a 1.3% improvement in fuel economy compared to control vehicles. Furthermore, the trial revealed significant operational advantages, including a 32% reduction in ash accumulation in the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a 50% reduction in a key maintenance cycle, translating to lower operational costs and increased uptime.

The technology has also proven its resilience in extreme conditions. The city fleet of Madison, Wisconsin, an early adopter, has operated Optimus-equipped vehicles since 2018, achieving substantial emissions reductions without increased maintenance. In one notable test, government plow trucks with the Vector System operated flawlessly in a blizzard at -10°F, assuaging industry concerns about the performance of biodiesel in cold weather.

Navigating Europe's Decarbonization Roadmap

The timing of this partnership aligns with an evolving and complex European regulatory landscape. The EU's Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) sets aggressive targets for renewable energy in transport, specifically incentivizing the use of advanced biofuels derived from waste and residues. This policy provides a strong tailwind for the B100 solution offered by Optimus and Sunoil.

However, the path is not without its challenges. Current EU CO2 legislation for new heavy-duty vehicles focuses exclusively on tailpipe emissions, a framework that heavily favors battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles while offering no credit for the lifecycle carbon reductions of renewable fuels. This creates a potential long-term conflict, as future regulations could effectively phase out the registration of new internal combustion engine vehicles, regardless of the fuel they use.

Despite this, the immediate financial and environmental case remains strong. Under the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS), transport operators are not required to surrender emissions allowances for sustainable biofuels used, helping to close the price gap with fossil fuels. For the thousands of trucks already on the road and the many more that will be purchased in the coming years, retrofitting with proven technology like the Vector System offers the only viable path to deep, immediate decarbonization. By combining American technological innovation with Dutch logistical and production prowess, the partnership provides a powerful, practical tool for fleets navigating the transition to a sustainable future.