Waste bin lorries to be powered by vegetable oil

Gravesham Borough Council, located in Kent, is taking significant steps to make its vehicle fleet more environmentally friendly. The council has announced that it will convert its entire fleet of vehicles, which includes those used for household waste collection, to run on a low-emission renewable fuel known as hydrotreated vegetable oil, or HVO. This decision comes as part of the council's efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability. The fleet consists of 134 vans, with 18 of them already being electric vehicles, and 24 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) that are responsible for waste collection. These HGVs consume a staggering 320,000 litres of diesel fuel each year, which accounts for approximately 22. 4% of the council's total greenhouse gas emissions. The council recognized that converting the entire fleet to electric vehicles would be financially unfeasible, with an estimated cost of £12 million. Therefore, the majority of the vehicles will soon be powered by HVO, a biofuel derived from processed vegetable oil. HVO is already being utilized by major logistics companies such as DHL and Royal Mail, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness as a fuel source. Emma Morley, the cabinet member for operational services, emphasized the advantages of switching to HVO. She stated that if the council had opted to electrify the entire fleet, it would have required significant investment in upgrading the power supply at their depot in Northfleet. Morley remarked, 'That's clearly not an option. ' The beauty of HVO lies in its simplicity; it serves as a direct replacement for diesel fuel, meaning that no modifications to the vehicles are necessary. The existing fuel tanks can be used for storage, making the transition smoother and more cost-effective. The first delivery of HVO to the council's depot took place at the end of November, and the plan is to have all non-electric vehicles operating on this new fuel by April. While some electric vans will continue to be utilized, the majority of the fleet will benefit from this environmentally friendly change. This initiative not only highlights the council's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint but also sets an example for other councils and organizations to follow in their pursuit of sustainable practices.