Colas Rail12 Jul 2023 07:14
Jun 2023
Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a renewable diesel fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. It undergoes a process called hydrotreatment, which removes impurities and enhances its combustion properties. The result is a fuel that closely resembles fossil diesel but offers significant environmental advantages. HVO is a cleaner-burning fuel with lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced particulate matter, and lower levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
A huge piling machine, fuelled by HVO, at work on a construction site for HS2
A huge piling machine, fuelled by HVO, at work on a construction site for HS2. That company has committed to reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry. Image HS2.
Colas Rail UK joins a growing list of operators in the rail industry who have recognised the potential of HVO in reducing their environmental impact. Rival freight operator DB Cargo UK and the infrastructure agency Network Rail have both previously utilised HVO in their operations, aligning with their sustainability goals and commitment to decarbonisation. Construction materials supplier Tarmac, a prominent rail freight customer, has also endorsed low-carbon HVO fuel on freight trains operating on the West Coast Main Line.
The HS2 company behind the mammoth high speed rail project to build a new line between London and Birmingham has also embraced this alternative fuel source in an effort to reduce emissions in the construction sector. However, the trial of HVO by Colas and other operators marks a significant shift towards greener locomotives in the UK rail industry. Despite a setback for alternative fuels (a UK passenger operator sustained some maintenance issues) the use of HVO is expected to grow, further enhancing the environmental credentials of the rail freight sector.