Biodiesel switch starts in county

Oxfordshire County Council has taken delivery of its first biodiesel-powered vehicles - regular diesel mixed with five per cent vegetable oil.

The fuel will be piloted by 20 vehicles, operated out of the council's depot in Headington, providing transport for people with mobility problems.

And if the trial proves successful, the fuel could be used in other vehicles across the council's fleet. The switch is part of a pledge to reduce the council's carbon footprint by making sure 50 per cent of its bulk fuel buy is a biodiesel mix.

Vehicle fleet engineer Brian Webzell said he hoped the percentage of greener fuel used would increase, but said that would depend on the outcome of the trial and the availability of suitable vehicles. He said: "At present vehicle manufacturers only support a five per cent mix without it affecting the vehicle warranty.

"As manufacturers increase the level of biodiesel allowed in their vehicles it's likely the county council will follow suit."

He said some manufacturers already supported an increased level of biodiesel mix, but the council had to cater for the majority of its vehicles.

He added: "The council plans to be innovative in reducing its environmental footprint and will introduce wider uses of biodiesel mix, or other initiatives, as opportunities arise.

Earlier this month Britain's first biodiesel-fuelled train, a Virgin CrossCountry Super Voyager tilting train, was launched by Kidlington-based tycoon Sir Richard Branson.

The train will be used on services through Oxfordshire during trials to see if the new fuel is suitable for railway use.

Cooking oil from Oxford college kitchens has also been converted into biodiesel to run some of the university's vehicle fleet.

A third of Oxford colleges recycle waste oil from deep-fat friers, used to cook the staple student diet of chips and battered fish, into cans collected by Goldenfuels, a local biodiesel producer which makes and distributes biodiesel in the city.