Council driving change with biofuel powered vehicles

Stakeholders with bio fuel vehicles

Westmorland and Furness Council has kicked off a six-month trial to power its newer fleet of vehicles with biofuel, marking a major step in its ambition to be carbon net zero.

Running on biofuel, a sample of the council's compatible fleet vehicles including tipper wagons, home-to-school transport, and gritters, are now using a greener alternative to diesel.
 

The trial of biofuel, a ‘green diesel’, is expected to cut carbon emissions by up to 90% and reinforces the council’s commitments to be at the forefront of tackling climate change, provide leadership in the drive to net zero, and reduce its emissions.

A new biofuel tank has been installed at the Skirsgill Depot in Penrith, where the trial is based, with the swapping of fuel requiring no costly vehicle modifications meaning it can be used in all the council's newer vehicles. While biofuel costs slightly more than regular diesel, the council is training its staff to adopt more fuel-efficient driving styles to help offset this, leading to reduced fuel usage and emissions.

The pilot will also help inform the council’s Fleet Decarbonisation and Replacement Strategy which is currently being developed and will take a holistic approach to greener vehicle replacement, exploring full electric, hybrid, and biofuel options to find the best fit for its 500-strong fleet.

If the trial is successful, the council will look to roll the scheme out more widely across its depots and additional vehicles.

Councillor Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT, said:

“We operate around 500 vehicles that provide essential services day in, day out across our area – whether it's filling potholes, school transport, or keeping roads safe during winter. This trial will help us determine if biofuel is a viable, long-term solution to reducing carbon emissions while maintaining the high level of service our communities depend on.”

Councillor Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, added:

“Reducing emissions from our fleet is one of the most impactful steps we can take to meet our carbon net zero goals. This trial is an important part of our wider Climate Action Plan, which aims to make real, measurable progress in reducing our carbon footprint by 2037.

“This is a big project but one that will bring us closer to our decarbonisation goals and a greener, more sustainable future for Westmorland and Furness.”

WATCH our video update on the project on our YouTube channel for more information
 

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