Perth and Kinross Council has decided to roll out the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) across its operations after a successful trial of this diesel alternative. This significant move is aimed at substantially cutting carbon emissions and implementing the council’s broader decarbonization strategy.
HVO is produced entirely from renewable waste and residue-derived feedstocks, and it has the remarkable ability to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%. What makes it an appealing substitute for traditional fossil fuels is that it requires minimal modifications to existing infrastructure and equipment. Last year, the council initiated a six-month trial involving six refuse collection lorries. The results were impressive, with an estimated saving of 87 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Building on this success, an additional 18 bin lorries stationed at the council’s Friarton Depot will now be switched to HVO, which is expected to save around 500 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Pat Taggart, the fleet manager of Perth and Kinross Council, stated, “Our ultimate goal is to have all bin lorries at our operational depots running on HVO as part of our comprehensive decarbonization efforts. So far, our experience has been highly positive. Not only have we witnessed a significant reduction in CO2 emissions from our fleet, but the practical process of transitioning to HVO has also gone smoothly. There have been no adverse effects on our vehicles, such as unexpected engine repairs, and the shift from diesel to this new fuel has been straightforward. We are delighted to play our part in supporting the circular economy by utilizing waste materials and powering our fleet with a certified clean fuel.” Darren Holloway, the commercial director for energy solutions at Certas Energy, pointed out that Perth and Kinross Council is among a growing number of public sector organizations making the switch to HVO. He added, “The demand for HVO is increasing year on year across the UK as more organizations recognize the sustainability benefits of adopting this fuel. We anticipate this trend will continue over the next decade, with the public sector serving as a key driving force.”
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