ScotRail powers train with vegetable oil as alternative to diesel in trial

ScotRail has started trialling vegetable oil as an alternative to diesel, describing the move as an “exciting step forward” in its efforts to make Scotland’s railways greener.

The trial, which began on February 19, has seen one of the rail operator’s passenger trains fuelled with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) rather than the usual diesel.

ScotRail said if the 12-week trial is successful, HVO could be used as a “transition fuel” while carbon-neutral fuels like green hydrogen become more readily available.

HVO is a renewable and biodegradable fuel made of waste product from agricultural and food production activities, and can be used in existing diesel engines without modification.

The rail operator said it reduces carbon emissions by up to 16% and improves air quality by “almost a third” compared with traditional diesel, while complying with fire safety standards.

Poul Wend Hansen, ScotRail head of sustainability, said: “This trial is an exciting step forward in our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of Scotland’s railways.

“HVO has the potential to significantly lower our carbon footprint while allowing us to continue using existing diesel trains more sustainably.

“We’re eager to see the results and assess how this fuel could be part of a greener future for rail travel.”

The trial has seen a dedicated HVO fuel tank installed at ScotRail’s Corkerhill Depot in Glasgow.

Weekly fuel deliveries are supporting the running of the class 156 train, which is numbered 156 436, and it is continuing to carry passengers throughout the trial.

The trial is being delivered in partnership with Angel Trains and Crown Oil.