In partnership with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Keolis has launched a renewable diesel pilot programme to asses alternative fuel use on part of the Commuter Rail fleet in the Greater Boston region.
The initiative involves locomotives based at the Newburyport Commuter Rail facility, which are now operating on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) instead of traditional diesel.
HVO is produced from waste vegetable oils and animal fats, offering lower lifecycle carbon emissions compared to petroleum-based fuels.
MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said:We’re pleased to partner with Keolis on this renewable diesel pilot as we continuously seek ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Testing alternative fuel sources for our Commuter Rail fleet joins other efforts at the T to lower our carbon emissions, and we look forward to evaluating the results of the pilot as we continue to increase resiliency across the system.
Keolis, which has operated the MBTA Commuter Rail for more than a decade, reports that locomotive performance has so far remained stable since switching to the renewable fuel.
The pilot now aims to help determine whether renewable diesel can be adopted more widely across the network. The MBTA and Keolis will jointly evaluate its operational viability and environmental impact at the end of the trial period.
The initiative supports the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ broader goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike conventional biodiesel, HVO is compatible with existing diesel engines and infrastructure, making it a transitional option for decarbonising rail transport without immediate investment in new rolling stock.
Abdellah Chajai, Keolis CEO and General Manager said:Getting people out of their cars and onto the train is a great first step, and we need to do more if we are going to reach the Commonwealth’s emissions goals.
This pilot program is a great opportunity to utilise an innovative new approach and can reduce CO2 emissions by more than 70% for these locomotives compared to fossil diesel. We’re pleased to partner with the MBTA to make this pilot project a success.
To further advance decarbonisation plans, last year, MBTA also approved Keolis’s plan to operate battery-electric trains on the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line.
