Hounslow Council to Invest £9million in Biofuel Bin Lorries
Wants to replace existing diesel-powered fleet with 60 new vehicles
The new lorries would introduce emissions by 90%. Picture: Scarborough Council
March 11, 2025
Hounslow Council is proposing a complete replacement of its existing fleet of diesel waste collection lorries with vehicles powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) biofuel.
It has drawn up a plan to spend £9.12million on 60 new vehicles over three years with the intent of increasing the reliability of collections and reducing emissions by up to 90%.
The council’s refuse collection vehicles currently average about eight years old, leading to frequent breakdowns and service disruptions.
Alternative fuel options (electric, hydrogen) were considered but found too expensive and requiring extensive infrastructure changes.
HVO has been chosen as a cost-effective transitional solution, reducing CO2 emissions without requiring modifications to existing vehicles.
It is a renewable fuel made by hydrogenating vegetable oils or animal fats. It is more expensive than diesel, adding a cost pressure of approximately £60,000 annually.
As well as lower emissions it offers better cold weather performance and combustion. It does have higher production costs and is dependent on the availability of sustainable feedstocks.
A number of local authorities across England have already made the switch including East Suffolk, Scarborough and Stevenage.
The vehicles would be operated by the council’s wholly-owned company Lampton Recycle 360 Limited.
Support is being sought for the proposals at the meeting of the council’s cabinet on 18 March.
If approved mix of new and second-hand vehicles will be purchased to balance costs and service continuity with the procurement process set to begin shortly with the first vehicles arriving by late 2025.
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