Scania, Lucketts and Green Biofuels partner up to trial HVO biofuel for coaches

In the United Kingdom, a partnership between Scania, Lucketts Travel and Green Biofuels has conducted what is believed to be the UK’s first trial of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a sustainable biofuel for scheduled intercity coach operations. The trial, which ran for three months, has provided like-for-like comparison data of seven National Express vehicles using HVO and seven conventionally-fueled National Express diesel coaches all operated by Lucketts Travel.

Over the duration of the trial, each of the 14 coaches was closely monitored with regard to engine performance, fuel consumption and oil quality. In addition, feedback from drivers, passengers and the technicians maintaining the vehicles have been taken into account.

HVO is widely available today throughout Europe, but has not so far been adopted to the same degree within the UK. The HVO used in the Lucketts National Express trial is produced from used cooking oil and is certified palm oil-free. The fuel is being supplied by Green Biofuels, the UK’s sole importer of HVO produced by Finland-based Neste.