Vehicle fleet operators and taxi drivers from across Cornwall have been learning about new ways of reducing their emissions and cutting their fuel costs in Cornwall Council’s Driving Innovation masterclass.

Sponsored by CGON, the masterclass was aimed at businesses in Cornwall and the wider south-west that want to reduce their fuel costs and help improve local air quality. 

Businesses of all sizes signed up, including Cormac, which operates one of the largest fleets in Cornwall.

Delegates heard presentations on subjects including electric vehicles, low emission trucks and the ECO Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme. 

There were also demonstrations of hydrogen electrolysers, electric vehicles, and liquid natural gas trucks.

In addition, the day included an opportunity to learn more about Cornwall Council’s trial of hydrogen electrolysers, funded by a grant from the Defra and Department for Transport Joint Air Quality Unit in 2017. 

Hydrogen electrolysers from two suppliers, Water Fuel Engineering and Cgon Limited, have been fitted to vehicles in the Cormac fleet. 

Both suppliers claim fuel savings of between 5 and 30% depending on the vehicle and reduced emissions of oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and other pollutants. 

The vehicles in the trial are some of the most common in the fleet or those with the highest mileage and range from a small van to a 26 tonne tipper. 

The council is working with independent testers Emissions Analytics Limited who are testing the electrolysers in real-world driving conditions by measuring a range of emissions. 

The results of the trial will be available in the spring.