Another council is reconsidering its use of renewable fuel due to issues with rising costs.
North Herts Council has confirmed that its approach to fuelling waste vehicles is being reviewed ‘in response to significantly increased fuel prices, particularly the rising cost of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)’.
In a cabinet meeting two weeks ago, a decision to use an HVO mix for the council’s large waste vehicles was approved as an interim measure.
According to the meeting report, the switch would see that additional costs are capped at roughly £5,000 per month from 1 July 2026 to 31 March 2027.
‘This would be subject to a minimum HVO use of 20%, unless it became impossible to obtain HVO fuel’, it explains.
The move comes after Chichester District Council temporarily transitioned back to using diesel to power its fleet vehicles due to similar cost-related concerns.
Sarah Kingsley, Director – Environment, at North Herts Council, said: ‘The agreed approach is a short-term measure that allows the council to respond to current market conditions while continuing to deliver environmental benefits from HVO use, alongside taking proportionate steps to manage the impact of rising costs on the council’s budget.’
‘This position will remain under review. With fuel prices now beginning to fall, a return to 100% HVO use will be reconsidered as market conditions improve.’
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Photo: © Kamil.
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