![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
Avon Fire and Rescue Service is trialing a form of biodegradable fuel in its vehicles in a bid to reduce the service’s emissions and move one step closer to a sustainable fleet.
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a renewable diesel substitute producing up to 90% less emissions than traditional diesel. Instead of using carbon heavy diesel, vehicles can use HVO with no impact on performance. Avon has been testing the alternative fuel in the first part of a trial to ensure that its wider use would not impact its operational capability.
Crews based in Avonmouth fire station will be part of the ongoing trial with one vehicle being allocated to run solely on HVO from February. A fuel bowser will be placed onsite, maintained and monitored by fleet support staff, allowing practical access to the station crews. This trial will run for three months with feedback from firefighters informing the next steps of HVO use across the service.
“In an era where environmental concerns and operational efficiency are at the forefront of everyone’s mind, emissions reductions have become a critical focus for us as an emergency service to assist in our sustainability targets. I’m pleased to be starting this phase of the trial, as we’re keen to trial new methods to reduce our carbon footprint as a Service. We’re looking forward to progressing with the use of HVO and other renewable energy sources.”
Matt Derrick, Head of Fleet and Technical Services, AFRS.
Avon is the not the first fire and rescue service to look at HVO for its fleet. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service trialled the change last year by using HVO in its fire engines, sharing its decision to move to sustainable fuels in an interview with Emergency Services Times.
Trials in Cambridgeshire involving fire, police and a local authority found an 80% reduction in emissions, prompting Huntingdonshire District Council to switch entirely to HVO fuel for its vehicles.
To read similar articles, check out our Sustainability channel.
