Commissioned by the Sustainability Workingroup of the Dutch Safety Regions, CE Delft investigated more sustainable alternatives to diesel for fire engines. Diesel is currently the standard fuel, but it causes CO₂ emissions and air pollution and does not align with future climate goals.
HVO100 is a renewable diesel substitute that can be used without technical modifications and has a lower climate impact. However, in terms of local emissions (nitrogen oxides and particulate matter), it is comparable to diesel. Electric propulsion can significantly reduce emissions during operation, especially when green electricity is used.
However, battery production and limitations such as grid congestion, weight, and charging infrastructure pose major challenges. Fully electric fire engines are currently limited in availability and may be less operationally flexible due to charging times and dependence on electricity. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combine battery use with a fuel engine and can therefore be deployed more reliably. In many scenarios, HVO100 proves to be a practical short-term solution to reduce CO₂ emissions without operational risks.
Electric or hybrid solutions may become more important in the longer term as technology and infrastructure improve. The report therefore recommends considering HVO100 now, while simultaneously gaining experience with hybrid electric fire engines through pilot projects.