Derby City Council Adopts Renewable Fuel to Slash Fleet Emissions
Transition to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) promises significant greenhouse gas reduction and supports long-term sustainability goals.
By Aisha Mahmood
••2 min read
AI
Derby City Council fleet of vehicles at a depot.
Derby City Council is significantly reducing its carbon footprint by transitioning its vehicle fleet to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a renewable alternative to diesel.
The council is introducing Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a replacement for conventional diesel across hundreds of its vehicles. This change is projected to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the fuel by approximately 91%, resulting in an annual saving of over 1,960 tonnes of carbon emissions. This reduction is comparable to removing 1,220 mixed fleet cars from the road each year or meeting the annual energy needs of 737 average UK households.
These vehicles are essential for daily city services, including bin collections, street cleaning, and supporting adult and children’s social care. While replacing the entire fleet with electric alternatives is not immediately feasible due to the size and variety of vehicles, HVO offers a practical solution for immediate environmental impact. The renewable fuel can be used directly in existing diesel engines without requiring modifications or affecting vehicle warranties.
A successful trial conducted in partnership with the University of Derby confirmed HVO's performance and environmental benefits, demonstrating its viability and financial practicality for reducing fleet emissions.
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"This decision allows us to make meaningful progress now while continuing to plan responsibly for the future. HVO gives us immediate carbon savings across a large proportion of our fleet and does so without disrupting the essential services residents rely on every day. It is a practical, evidence-led step that reduces emissions now while supporting our longer-term transition to a cleaner and more sustainable fleet."
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"We want to do everything we can to make Derby greener and reduce our impact on the environment. Introducing HVO means we can make a significant reduction in the emissions from our fleet now, while still providing the essential services that residents depend on every day. It’s another important step towards a cleaner, more sustainable city."
The council plans to continue exploring demonstration opportunities, trials, and lease options to further support the transition to cleaner fleet operations, ensuring future decisions are evidence-based and serve the best interests of residents.
Based on information from the official source: Derby City Council (06/10/2026)
