Image courtesy Birmingham Airport
The regional transport hub has been trialling the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a sustainable alternative to diesel in 32 works and grounds vehicles onsite to reduce vehicle emissions by nearly 90%. Following the success of the trial, BHX is now set to expand the use of the sustainable fuel to a range of vehicles across its site.
Produced entirely from renewable waste materials, HVO is a diesel-like biofuel that significantly limits excessive air pollution and reduces carbon emissions by 90% Several other UK airports have adopted HVO as a sustainable alternative to diesel due to its significant environmental advantages.
The trial follows ongoing work at BHX to fully decarbonise operations and utilise renewable energy sources including the development of a £10 million airside solar farm which can power 100% of the terminal during peak conditions. Following the implementation of an innovative Mobile Segregation Unit (MSU) for waste management in 2023, the airport celebrated its most waste efficient year on record in March 2025 with its recycling & reuse rate for main terminal waste exceeding 80% for the first time
Commenting on the trial of HVO at the airport, Tom Denton, Head of Sustainability, said: “Since our initial net zero pledge in 2019, we’ve been committed to exploring and implementing a variety of innovative solutions to reduce our carbon emissions and overall environmental impact. HVO is a proven and effective alternative to diesel and this trial of bio-fuel n select onsite grounds vehicles is our next step in proactively tackling our operational carbon footprint.”
James Gordon, Head of Airfield Infrastructure, said: “The success of the trial is a significant milestone in decarbonising our airfield operations. Following this limited trial, we will be looking to expand the use of HVO to other vehicles onsite to further reduce our emissions alongside the delivery of other renewable energy transition projects across the airfield.”
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