First vehicles benefit from veg oil power

Blaby District Council’s fleet have had up to 90% of their emissions wiped, with the move to alternative fuel underway.

As part of the Council’s commitment to be a carbon neutral authority by 2030, Cabinet Executive voted in May to approve plans to change the majority of the vehicle fleet to hydro treated vegetable oil (HVO).

Blaby District Council empties more than 2,500,000 bins each year, as well as trade waste bins, litter bins, grounds maintenance and district cleansing across the local area. The authority recognises that whilst each vehicle plays an important part of this work, efforts needed to be made to ensure these are sustainable and as environmentally friendly as possible.

HVO is a popular alternative to diesel with other local authorities and organisations who are looking to considerably reduce their carbon emissions.

The first two lorries have now been converted to HVO, with the majority of the fleet’s change from diesel to HVO coming over the next few months. Once completed, the conversion will see a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 505 tonnes to just 51 tonnes per year.

In addition to Blaby District Council’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030, the Council also has ambitions for the Blaby District area to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Councillor Nigel Grundy, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: “This is a fantastic first step for the Council as we start to make progress on converting our fleet over to HVO.

“We’re delighted at this initial progress and we can’t wait to see the majority of our other vehicles become powered by HVO. My Cabinet colleagues feel passionately about this worthwhile investment for both the

Council and residents in our journey to reduce carbon emissions in the district.”

“HVO is just the start for us, and we’re hoping to introduce more electric vehicles to the fleet over the coming years.”

Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, Councillor Nigel Grundy