100% renewable resources
DB Cargo UK has successfully trialled the use of 100% renewable hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) as it continues to look for new and innovative ways to power its fleet and decarbonise its operations.
Ground-breaking tests have been taking place at the company’s load bank facility at Toton Traction Maintenance Depot in Nottinghamshire, where traditional red diesel has been substituted for the more environmentally-friendly HVO fuel.
A Class 67 diesel locomotive has been put through its paces - from idling to full power – with monitoring showing no adverse impact on the performance of the locomotive’s powerful 3,200bhp engine.
The company now plans to move to live, on-track testing of the HVO fuel in both its Class 67 and 66 freight fleet and later also on its Class 60 locomotives. DB Cargo UK transport 37 million t of freight each year, using 45 million litres of red diesel annually. (ben)