Vegetable oil tested as fuel for council vehicles
Transport bosses in Wolverhampton have started using vegetable oil to fuel the city council’s fleet of vehicles on a trial basis, with a view to making a huge reduction in carbon emissions.
The local authority is currently exploring the possibility of using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as an eco-friendly replacement for diesel. Made from 100 per cent UK-based renewable sources, the oil has around 90 per cent less carbon emissions than traditional diesel fuel.
Derived from animal, plant or algae remains, HVO is a biofuel that is considered to be a renewable energy source unlike traditional liquid fuels like fossil petroleum, natural gas and coal. This is because the materials used to make it can be quickly and easily replenished.
The trial is being conducted on several different types of vehicles and initial results show that HVO achieves a similar number of miles per gallon to diesel, but carbon emissions are reduced by around 90 per cent.
Councillor Craig Collingswood (Lab. Park ward), cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “As a council, we provide a wide range of different services, many of which rely on vehicles. We have committed to making the council net zero by the end of 2028 and we are constantly looking at how we can improve our efficiency and make the way we run our services as clean and green as possible.
“HVO is stable and renewable while significantly reducing carbon emissions. Not only is it a direct alternative to diesel with significantly lower carbon emissions, it will also require no modifications to council vehicles.
“The initial results of the trial are encouraging and we’re looking forward to receiving and reviewing the full results. By taking this step, we are giving a significant demonstration of our climate action commitment.
“Climate change will have a huge impact on our lives and the lives of future generations of Wulfrunians, so we want to make sure we are investigating every possible avenue to provide a cleaner, greener city,” he added.
Under its 2028 net zero pledge, the council is working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including those produced by its vehicle fleet. So far, it has introduced 34 ultra-low emission vehicles and installed 31 chargers in its depots.
No vehicle modifications have been required as part of the HVO trial, as it is a direct ‘drop-in replacement’ for diesel. The tests will show whether the fuel source could provide an additional environmentally-friendly option.
