The council’s fleet of refuse lorries, as well as some other vehicles operating in the borough, will now run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel.
According to the council, the move will lower vehicle carbon emissions in the borough by 90%, “while also cutting air pollution”.
As well as being low carbon, the council said the fuel will produce up to 25% less NOx emissions and up to 42% less particulate matter.
HVO
HVO is a biofuel that works in diesel engines and is considered to be a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. It is created by processing waste vegetable oils and fats.
The council told letsrecyce.com that as HVO will act as a replacement fuel, there is “no need” for new vehicles, as it is compatible with the current diesel engines.
The use of HVO was described by the council as “transitional”, as it will “bridge the gap” while it works on plans to switch all its vehicles over to electric, and other zero carbon equivalents by 2030.
It added that the transitional fuel was needed while it awaits “fit for purpose” vehicles to be placed on the market. Currently, the council says it is unable to procure an electric RCV with a glass pod.
The council has already put three new electric bin lorries on order, and currently has a mixed fleet of Mercedes, Dennis Eagle and DAF.
New HVO fuel tanks have been installed at the council’s depot in Hedge End.
Cabinet lead for the environment, Cllr Rupert Kyrle, commented: “Switching our vehicles over to HVO fuel will mean we are lowering air pollution and producing less carbon while we upgrade the vehicles themselves to more sustainable equivalents over the next eight years.
“It shows we are committed to cutting our own emissions to net zero by 2025 and moving towards a net zero borough by 2030.”
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