CUMBERLAND Council is trialling a greener fleet using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) instead of diesel in refuse vehicles.

The renewable fuel promises a 90 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, aligning with the council's carbon-cutting goals.

It can be used as a drop-in alternative to regular diesel with no modifications or changes necessary to the existing fleet.

Starting with four vehicles in Whitehaven for six months, there are plans to potentially expand the trial.

It's expected the trial will save around 135 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and 81 tonnes over the six months period , aiding in further carbon reductions across Cumberland.

Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: "This is an important trial that will support deliver our carbon reduction targets.  

"We will monitor the progress of this trial closely and if successful we will be keen to explore options to roll this out further across other areas of Cumberland and in other fleet vehicles to further reduce carbon emissions.

“The trial also complements our other fleet carbon reduction activity as evidenced by the introduction of additional electric vehicles as direct replacement for diesel vehicles.

"Collectively, we are working to deliver a cleaner, greener council fleet for Cumberland."

Cumberland Council has also added to its fleet of fully electric vehicles with a further seven new electric vans now in services across the council's key services, including pest services, green spaces, property and facility services, and hostels service. 

 The vans have replaced seven diesel vehicles and will directly contribute to carbon reductions across the fleet.