HVO fuels result in significant carbon emissions reductions in Colas Rail UK trials

Relevant RTS critical priority(ies):
Low emissions

Colas Rail UK has been trialling the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) on its Tamper fleet, and its Kirow crane, to evaluate the sustainable benefits. HVO fuel, a sustainable diesel alternative that is created with used cooking oils and animal fats that are treated to be used as a paraffinic diesel, can significantly reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%. HVO fuel has been used on four Tampers that were delivering track maintenance services, and it is expected that continued use through to the end of 2023 will save around 123 tonnes of carbon compared to the machines running on traditional diesel.

An HVO trial of the 56051 ‘Survival’ locomotive, which regularly operates on the Chirk to Baglan route, has also reduced carbon emissions by 54 tonnes after using 20,000 litres of fuel during the trial period. The route, which stretches approximately 130 miles, links Chirk, a source of processed wood products and other manufacturing interests around Wrexham, to the Baglan Bay terminal in South Wales.

Carbon Manager, Daniel Ditri said: “Whilst it is not the perfect net zero solution, the investment and technological constraints of preferred greener solutions such as electrified or hydrogen freight is still a good few years away… Using sustainable fuels, like HVO, is the best way to take immediate action in tackling climate change.”