A Simple Change with Big Impact
Chichester District Council has begun fuelling waste, recycling, street cleaning and grounds maintenance vehicles with certified Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil. This renewable liquid is created from used cooking fats that would otherwise be discarded. Because the fuel shares the same storage conditions as diesel, staff began filling tanks without modifying engines, pumps or depots. Overnight, the largest single source of council emissions fell by around thirty percent.
What Makes HVO Special
HVO is produced through a refining process that removes oxygen molecules from vegetable-based feedstock, resulting in a stable paraffinic fuel. Combustion therefore releases up to eighty eight percent less life cycle carbon than mineral diesel. Importantly for heavy stop start trucks, energy density and cold weather performance closely match conventional fuel, so service reliability remains unchanged.
A Helpful Hidden Advantage
A less discussed benefit lies in fleet depreciation. By extending the useful life of existing refuse trucks, the council avoids premature replacement and associated embodied carbon. Recent studies show that keeping a heavy vehicle on the road for two additional years while running renewable fuel can offset the manufacture of a brand new electric model. This approach buys valuable time until battery ranges and charging infrastructure fully meet the demands of high payload urban operations.
Wider Climate Plan
The renewable switch forms part of the Climate Emergency Action Plan for twenty twenty five to twenty thirty. Complementary work includes sourcing green electricity for council buildings, increasing tree canopy and supporting residents with energy advice. The immediate emission saving from HVO demonstrates how incremental actions can dovetail with longer term projects such as vehicle electrification.
Conclusion
Chichester District Council demonstrates that meaningful progress can start with a single refill. By turning waste cooking oil into clean energy, the authority shows local governments everywhere a fast affordable path toward climate goals.