Council looks to run vehicles on vegetable oil in emissions cutting drive

Bridgend County Borough Council have announced plans to reduce the carbon emissions of its existing vehicle fleet by switching to an alternative fuel method such as Hydrogenised Vegetable Oil (HVO).

The council say this could reduce CO2 emissions by around 975 tonnes per annum, which will represent a 93.54 per cent carbon reduction from current waste and recycling operation’s carbon footprint.

The council and its current contractor, Keir, have agreed to share the additional costs for implementing the new initiative, which represents a very positive carbon reduction change at a relatively low cost.

Current waste management provider Kier have confirmed that investigations have been carried out and its existing fleet is able to run using this fuel type.

The council is also looking to introduce a new fleet of cleaner, greener ultra-low emission collection vehicles.

Councillor John Spanswick, Bridgend Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities said: “We are extremely keen to explore the introduction of this new fleet of collection vehicles operating on a 93 per cent carbon saving fuel. This would deliver a rapid and significant improvement in our response to the climate change emergency.

“We recognise that in the medium to long term, the highest environmental benefit in terms of fleet provision will be a change to ULEV Electric/Hydrogen powered vehicles that produce zero emissions in use and the result is phenomenal.

“When fuelled by a renewable energy supply, these vehicles represent the cleanest possible method of recycling and waste collection. However, going forward, we will consider a wide range of options, which will not only help reduce our carbon footprint but will also be cost-effective to implement.”

(Lead image: Bridgend County Borough Council)