Bolsover District Council in Derbyshire has transitioned its entire vehicle fleet from diesel to hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) to reduce carbon emissions significantly.
The council’s 130 vehicles—including bin lorries, tractors, street sweepers, and vans—will now run on HVO, a renewable alternative to diesel made from waste oils, animal fats, and vegetable oils. The change is expected to reduce the fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.
The fleet previously consumed around 335,000 litres of diesel annually, generating approximately 841 tonnes of carbon dioxide. By shifting to HVO, the council aims to cut this figure by 829 tonnes.
While the council explored electrifying the fleet, high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure led to HVO being selected as a more practical interim solution. The council reports successful trials with no impact on vehicle performance.
This move reflects growing interest from public sector bodies in low-carbon fuel alternatives as they work toward net-zero targets.
