Dublin Express has become the first passenger transport operator in Ireland to eliminate the use of diesel fuel by using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
This initiative was launched at Dublin Airport by Transport Minister James Lawless TD.
By transitioning its fleet of coaches from diesel to HVO, Dublin Express will help decarbonise travel between Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport.
The operator will replace over 80,000 litres of diesel each month. This is the equivalent amount required to fully fuel around 1,600 cars.
HVO is derived from used cooking oil. It reduces CO2 emissions by around 90 percent compared to fuelling coaches with diesel.
Each diesel coach produces the same emissions as 12 coaches operating on HVO. As such, Dublin Express’ 21-vehicle fleet now emits the same amount of emissions as 252 diesel coaches.
This transition is an attainable method of decarbonisation, as HVO can be used as a direct replacement for diesel in existing engines, without modifications.
Rory Fitzgerald, General Manager of Dublin Express, said:The shift to HVO is a real game-changer for Dublin Express, putting the wheels in motion for the decarbonisation of mass passenger transport. We’re proud to be one of the first coach operators in Ireland to be leading the way in reducing carbon emissions and doing our bit for the environment.
Dublin Express is on track to carry over 2 million passengers between its Dublin City routes and Dublin Airport this year, so the environmental benefits of HVO are profound. As we continue to expand our services and support our partners to meet their sustainability goals, we are committed to driving modal shift, encouraging passengers to ditch their cars and switch to more environmentally friendly ways to travel.
Dublin Express’ HVO fuel is provided by Certa Ireland Ltd. Certa estimates that this switch to HVO will save 2,351 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Since it is made from waste and residues rather than food crops, HVO also does not contribute to food price inflation or deforestation. This distinction addresses some of the key issues with first-generation biofuels.
What’s more, as HVO has a higher cetane number than traditional diesel, its use can also lead to better engine performance, reduced emissions, and longer engine life.
