National Grid HVO trial cuts fleet emissions nearly 90 per cent

A recent trial has seen more than 100 National Grid vehicles adopting the fuel, which is derived from used cooking oils, tallows and other recyclable waste. The Boston fleet enables linespersons, engineers and technicians to fix faults, restore power, and undertake maintenance across Lincolnshire.

According to National Grid, the average monthly mileage covered by the vehicles using HVO is 1,100 miles, with the biofuel used as a drop-in replacement for diesel. It’s claimed HVO could be a vital tool in decarbonising National Grid’s operations, particularly for off-road HGVs like the Mercedes Unimogs in National Grid’s fleet, where electrification is not yet an option.

“As the country’s largest distribution network operator, we have one of the largest fleets in the UK, and we are working tirelessly to deliver more electric vehicles each year where suitable alternatives exist,” said Christopher Mayell, transport manager at National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED).

“Of course, there are some vehicles where electric alternatives are simply not yet available, but our ambition is to be an industry leader in fleet decarbonisation. Trialling HVO in Boston is a step in the right direction to decarbonise where suitable electric vehicles alternatives are not available. This supports National Grid Electricity Distribution to find innovative ways to decarbonise our operations.

“The results of the trial have shown an 89 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, which is great news, and means that we can reduce our impact on the local environment in the present, while charging ahead to the electric future.”

Earlier this year, a new fully electric 4x4 utility vehicle also joined National Grid’s transport fleet following a collaboration with Skoda. A total of 70 Skoda Enyaqs will be converted into light commercial vehicles for NGED’s fleet, with each one set to save 4,820t CO2e per year.