The RAC is trialling hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as an alternative fuel to power its recovery trucks.
It has installed a tank at its headquarters in Walsall to store the fuel, which can generate a reduction of up to 85% in CO2 emissions. It is being used to run the seven recovery trucks based there and is hoped to save up to 300,000kg of CO2 per year.
Certas Energy is the supplier of its HVO, which is made from 100% renewable raw materials and sustainable waste from verified vegetable fats and oils, making it ideal for use in both on- and off-road commercial vehicles and machinery.
RAC fleet manager Matt Hilliar says that the initiative is part of the motoring organisation’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions. “This is an exciting project which will deliver both environmental and business benefits,” he says. ”If the trial continues to be as successful as the early indications show, we will explore using HVO more widely.”
Steve Little, managing director at Certas Energy, says that the collaboration is part of a wider move towards HVO use in transport.
“This trial with the RAC demonstrates our shared commitment to sustainable mobility solutions. Building on the remarkable market momentum we’ve been a part of in the last two years, with increasing demand for renewable diesel/HVO, we’re delighted that our partnerships are showcasing how renewable fuels play a vital role in the UK’s journey to net zero.”
He adds: “Transitioning to HVO is a great short- and medium-term solution to drastically reduce carbon emissions as the transport sector continues to transition to electric vehicles.”
