"Although the filters from the HVO100 truck have had less mileage than the ones from the truck running on mineral diesel, they are still surprisingly clean. A lot cleaner than I would’ve predicted." National Fleet Repair and Maintenance Support Coordinator Danny Martin .
"Although the filters from the HVO100 truck have had less mileage than the ones from the truck running on mineral diesel, they are still surprisingly clean. A lot cleaner than I would’ve predicted." National Fleet Repair and Maintenance Support Coordinator Danny Martin .
Cleanaway is pioneering the use of HVO100 renewable diesel in two of its waste management vehicles out of the Perry Road depot in Dandenong South, Victoria. The demonstration started in February this year and we released a comprehensive mid-way update in June, showing that HVO100 provides equivalent fuel consumption, uptime and performance compared to fossil diesel. As we approach the last stage in the demonstration, this update speaks to emissions reduction and effect on engine maintenance.
Emissions reduction
HVO100 is a 100% renewable diesel made from renewable sources such as used cooking oil. It is near chemically identical to mineral diesel which means it’s a “drop-in” replacement requiring no new infrastructure, fleet, or additional capital. As it is made from renewable resources, all carbon in the fuel has been captured from the atmosphere that is released again upon combustion, resulting in net zero carbon emissions.
In the first 6 months of the demonstration, we have used 32kL of HVO100 and saved 87 tonnes CO2-e compared to burning fossil fuel-based diesel; emissions savings are calculated using the 2023 National Greenhouse Account Factors provided by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Effect on fuel filters
The fleet maintenance team at Perry Road have been monitoring the effect of HVO100 on engine performance thoroughly and taken a close look at the fuel filters upon replacement at regular maintenance intervals. Pictures of those filters after they were removed are shown below, both for the truck running on HVO100 and another identical truck fuelled with mineral diesel. Cleanaway’s National Fleet Repair and Maintenance Support Coordinator Danny Martin commented, “Although the filters from the HVO100 truck have had less mileage than the ones from the truck running on mineral diesel, they are still surprisingly clean. A lot cleaner than I would’ve predicted.”
The road ahead
Cleanaway’s demonstration of HVO100 is coming to an end in September with the last delivery of the fuel going into the on-site tank in the coming weeks. The demonstration has confirmed the technical and operational compatibility of HVO100 with our current fleet. We’re excited to offer this service in a variety of locations for customers looking for low emission waste management services. In parallel, Cleanaway continues to work with governments and industry to create a policy framework in Australia that supports the uptake of low carbon liquid fuels to meet the nation’s climate reduction targets.