The UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) is encouraging operators to respond to a survey commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT) on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and higher-blend biofuels.
The questionnaire, which is open for completion until 3 May, is being carried out by consultant WSP to investigate barriers to PCV and HGV making greater use of such lower-carbon alternatives.
The survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete and UKCOA recommend that operators make clear if they are coach operators as opposed to bus operators.
UKCOA has been lobbying the government to introduce some sort of fuel duty rebate to offset the higher price of biofuels compared to diesel.
The body is not alone in the industry as seeing higher biocontent fuels such as B20 and HVO as the best way for coaches to reduce carbon emissions in the immediate term, given the range, cost and infrastructure considerations with battery-electric and hydrogen technologies.
Peter Bradley, Managing Director of UKCOA, says: “With existing vehicles and engine technology, emissions could be reduced by up to 80% by using biofuels as opposed to normal diesel. Although this does not achieve zero-emissions at the tailpipe, it nevertheless makes a significant contribution, whilst we are on the ‘road to zero emission’, especially as there is still not a solution for the longer distance coach.”
However, Mr Bradley points out the higher cost of biofuels and HVO is the main barrier to operators using them, even though very little, if any, depot infrastructure or vehicle modifications would be required.
Following UKCOA’s liaison with biofuels suppliers, it reports that “in one case, a supplier would want the fuel to be brought in bulk, but would be happy if that bulk purchase was, for example, spread across four operators.”
Having met with WSP, Mr Bradley says the consultant has a “good understanding of the issues specifically affecting the coach industry”.
