DB Cargo UK supports Scottish Climate Week

The Class 66 locomotive will be stationed at Platform 11 from 9am to 6pm to highlight the significant contribution rail freight is already making to the Scottish Government’s drive for a net zero carbon economy by 2045.

DB Cargo UK’s locomotive runs on Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel which is marketed as “one of the world’s purest and greenest fuels”.

Substituting traditional red diesel for the new HVO fuel can reduce a train’s carbon emissions by as much as 90%.

Scottish Transport Minister Graeme Dey said:

“I’m pleased the Climate Hero locomotive has arrived in Glasgow Central Station during the Scottish Government’s Climate Week to help highlight our vision for future rail freight.

“We want to see a competitive rail freight sector playing an increasing role in Scotland’s ambition for a net zero, sustainable, inclusive economy by providing a safer, greener and more efficient way of transporting products and materials.

“DB Cargo UK has led the way through the conversion of a Class 66 loco to run on Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO). Sustainably-sourced lower carbon alternative fuels and private sector innovation will be key to some areas of transport decarbonisation over future years and progress is moving at pace.

“I welcome DB Cargo’s commitment to this agenda and will continue to work with other potential partners to get more involved in creating a low carbon, successful rail freight sector for Scotland,” he added.   

The Minister added that considerable work had already been undertaken by public and private sector partners to support and promote sustainable rail freight growth in Scotland since the publication of the Government’s Rail Freight Strategy in 2016.

“The rolling programme of efficient electrification supports the key role that rail freight has to play in helping to achieve our climate change objectives and it is encouraging to see that the rail industry is also taking forward other decarbonisation measures,” he said.

Andrea Rossi, Chief Executive of DB Cargo UK, said:

“We are proud to be playing our part in Scotland’s Climate Change Week and demonstrating our innovative approach to reducing not just our own carbon footprint, but those of our customers.

“Rail freight is already a much greener alternative to road haulage but powering our trains by HVO takes this to a whole new level. The Scottish Government has already set itself a stretching target to encourage great modal shift and we would like to see this approach replicated across the rest of the UK,” he added.

ENDS