Royal Air Force trials HVO in support vehicles

The Royal Air Force has trialled the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to support current capabilities.
The trial, which was called Project ESTER and took place at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire in the UK and was conducted by squadrons of the RAF's Support Force.
Five vehicles from 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron used hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as fuel for a five-month period, whilst 3 Mobile Catering Squadron also used the opportunity to trial HVO with the Operational Field Catering System. As ground fuel specialists, 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron (1ELS) also assisted with the trial.
HVO is the next generation low-carbon diesel that significantly reduces the harmful gases and CO2 that internal combustion engines emit with up to 90% CO2 reduction.
HVO Renewable Diesel is a premium hydrocarbon-based fuel product made of 100% renewable raw materials, which does not release any new carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Unlike biofuels, HVO is manufactured by a synthesised process with hydrogen to create a greener, renewable fuel.
This is the first time the RAF has trialled HVO in vehicles although the RAF has previously successfully trialled the use of HVO in boilers at RAF Leeming.
The RAF is also powering vehicles using other energy sources, currently transitioning its white fleet to electric (and/or hybrid), whilst also undertaking trials with some of our larger air-side vehicles using hydrogen.