Under the “Mass Balance” approach, customers can pay a premium to allocate the environmental benefits of low-carbon energy to their shipments, even if their goods are moved on conventional diesel vehicles. The model works by separating the physical use of low-carbon fuel from the allocation of its climate benefit, while ensuring full traceability through verified documentation.
CEVA says the process follows recognised sustainability accounting standards and provides a transparent, Europe-wide method for customers to demonstrate progress toward corporate CO₂ targets.
Bridging the infrastructure gap
While many European hauliers are investing in battery-electric or biofuel trucks, access to low-carbon energy remains inconsistent. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), less than 20% of new commercial vehicles registered in 2024 were powered by low-carbon energy sources.
By using the Mass Balance model, CEVA aims to bridge this gap: enabling shippers to decarbonise their road transport emissions even in regions where the necessary refuelling or charging infrastructure is not yet available.
What the model means for hauliers
For transport operators, CEVA’s offer highlights a growing shift toward certified, book-and-claim-style CO₂ accounting systems within logistics contracts. Such systems may influence how major logistics buyers select partners, as verified emissions data becomes a key performance metric.
Hauliers running vehicles on HVO, bio-LNG, or electricity could also find increased demand for their services, as these low-carbon kilometres form the basis for the verified emission reductions that large providers like CEVA allocate to their customers.
Some experts have raised concerns that book-and-claim systems risk double counting if poorly implemented. CEVA maintains that its Mass Balance framework is fully audited and compliant with established verification procedures.
Part of a broader low-carbon transport strategy
The new solution complements CEVA’s existing decarbonisation initiatives, including investments in biofuel and electric fleets, modal shifts to rail and barge, and multimodal route optimisation. The company says the Mass Balance offer is available for all CEVA-operated road routes in Europe and can be aligned with each customer’s emission-reduction target.
Sandra Villeminot, CEVA’s global head of sustainability for Ground and Rail, said:
“At CEVA, we are paving the way for a more sustainable future in road transport, ensuring that our customers’ supply chains contribute to their climate goals while maintaining operational efficiency.”
Regulatory backdrop: EU moves toward standardised carbon accounting
The EU is preparing new rules to harmonise how greenhouse gas reductions are measured and reported in transport.
Under the forthcoming FuelEU Road Transport framework (currently under discussion following the maritime equivalent adopted in 2023), the European Commission aims to introduce binding carbon-intensity targets for fuels and establish a verified chain of custody for low-carbon energy use — principles closely aligned with the “Mass Balance” model.
These developments suggest that similar accounting mechanisms could soon become standard practice across the European logistics sector, giving early adopters such as CEVA a head start in adapting to future compliance requirements.
