Case study: Using hydrogen to decarbonise Aberdeen City Council's fleet

Background

We are reducing our fleet carbon emissions by supporting the retrofit conversion of diesel fuelled vehicles to hydrogen dual fuel, using technology which injects hydrogen into the diesel engine and burns with the diesel. This lowers emissions by about 30% which significantly reduces exhaust emissions and other pollutants that harm human health and the environment, which helps to achieve our council and city goal of net zero by 2045.  

Pure hydrogen vehicles are substantially more expensive, and not yet readily available, compared to their diesel equivalents as economies of scale, skills and parts haven't had time to mature. Dual fuel offers an alternative “bridging” technology that reduces CO2 emissions compared to pure diesel equivalents.  

Although electric is suitable for light vehicles, eg. cars and vans within fleet, hydrogen is emerging as the preferred technology to replace diesel within the Council’s heavy vehicle fleet.  

Outcomes

We operate our own fleet workshop, with staff trained to maintain, repair, and retrofit our existing diesel-fuelled vehicles with hydrogen dual fuel systems.

So far, the Council has retrofitted ten vehicles including road sweepers, refuse collection vehicles, a tractor and heavy goods vehicles. Retrofitting involves installing hydrogen storage tanks, injection systems, control units and safety systems on the vehicles.

The in-house capability to retrofit our fleet vehicles give us the ability to extend the life and value of existing fleet vehicles.

Next Steps

To support our ongoing decarbonization journey, plans are in place to retrofit further fleet vehicles, continue the roll out of specialised staff training and expand the hydrogen infrastructure across the city.