Dublin: Ireland has taken a step toward greener public transport, with a pilot programme in Cork testing the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as an alternative to conventional diesel in commuter trains.
HVO, a renewable diesel produced from vegetable oils and waste fats, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% compared with standard diesel. Crucially, it can be used as a “drop-in” fuel, meaning existing diesel engines can run on it without significant modifications.
The trial, led by Iarnród Éireann, will see two diesel-powered commuter trains in Cork operate using HVO over a period of 12 to 16 weeks. The project is expected to consume approximately 100,000 litres of the fuel, with weekly usage estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 litres.
Railway officials said the pilot programme will be closely monitored to evaluate performance, efficiency, and emissions reduction. The findings will help determine whether HVO can be rolled out across Ireland’s wider rail fleet as part of national efforts to reduce transport-related emissions.
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