Galway City Council is eliminating the use of road diesel in its fleet of larger vehicles, trucks and street sweepers, by converting to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a renewable fuel source.
HVO Eliminates up to 90% of net Carbon Dioxide emissions and reduces harmful pollutants such as Nitrogen Dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause asthma, breathing difficulties, and impaired lung function.
Galway City Council is also at the forefront of converting their fleet to electric vehicles, with 22% of the fleet already electrified.
Acting Director of Services Brian Barrett said, “The phased replacement of smaller cars and vans to electric will continue, and now we are addressing our larger fleet with the switch to HVO.”
“This is a welcome development, and one which will reduce Galway City Council’s overall emissions from our transport sector as we strive to meet 2030 targets.”
“HVO is an essential pathway in meeting our Climate targets, and we can see the benefits immediately without any capital costs.
He added that this transition is an “essential pathway” toward the city council meeting its climate targets, and the benefits can be seen immediately.
“HVO is a sustainable and renewable diesel fuel, produced from completely renewable raw materials such as waste animal fats and vegetable oils.”
“In addition, it can be used and handled as a drop-in alternative to fossil diesel and no alterations to pumps or other engines are required.”
In 2021 vehicles operated by the city council created 511 tonnes of CO2 by burning road diesel.
Mayor of Galway City Cllr Eddie Hoare said by switching to HVO fuel, their will be reduced by 460 tonnes a year, helping the council to meet their climate goals.
Galway City Council are currently developing their first local authority Climate Action plan.
Through the Climate Action Plan, Galway City Council aims to reduce greenhouse gases on both it’s operations and the wider city by 51% by 2030, and to become carbon neutral by 2050.
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