Selwood has become the first UK rental company to offer pumps that can be fuelled by vegetable oil in an industry-leading move that will significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The company has completed extensive testing of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) in its fleet of market-leading pumps.
All Selwood pumps which have a Stage 3B engine – including the Eco range of units – S160Eco, D150Eco and HP35Eco – can now be run on the HVO fuel as an alternative to diesel.
Selwood has also committed to ensuring that new pumps manufactured at its headquarters in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, for use in the UK and around the world, are HVO-compatible, subject to individual engine manufacturers’ guidelines.
HVO is a second-generation, clean-burning fossil-free biofuel which is made from renewable, sustainable raw materials and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. It also significantly reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions.
The fuel is completely interchangeable with diesel, without the need to clean out the pump’s fuel tanks or make adaptations, and with no negative effect on pump performance.
Lawrence Bradbury, Director of Engineering at Selwood, said: “At Selwood we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our products and operations wherever possible. Following conversations with several large clients who were looking for alternatives to diesel fuel, our engineers have thoroughly tested the use of HVO in the Selwood range.
“We are delighted with the results – not only is HVO completely interchangeable with diesel in compatible engines, it can also be used with no negative impact on performance. We are very pleased to be able to let customers know that HVO can be used safely as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability.”
Selwood has several ongoing initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, including the introduction of electric vehicles to the fleet and the option of IE3 electric motors in its pump rental and sales ranges where appropriate. The company holds the ISO 14001 standard for its environmental management systems.
