TfL contractor cuts fuel use and emissions by 15% in hydrogen-cleaning trial

A four-month fleet trial by TfL rail contractor 1stinrail has shown how some diesel fleets may still be able to make meaningful emissions reductions before full electrification becomes viable.

Working with Advanced Hydrogen Technology Group (AHT), the company trialled hydrogen-powered engine carbon cleaning across 25 vans and tippers used on overnight repair and maintenance work across the TfL rail network.

The technology works by feeding oxyhydrogen gas through the engine intake to remove internal carbon build-up, helping engines run more efficiently.

The result was an average 15% reduction in both fuel use and CO₂ emissions across the trial fleet, significantly outperforming 1stinrail’s original 7-10% saving target.

Stephen Jackson, managing director at 1stinrail, said the company initially viewed the process as a “quick win” to support its target of cutting Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

Importantly for fleets, Jackson said the fuel savings effectively offset the cost of the cleaning process itself, creating what he described as a “cost-free carbon reduction process”.

Following the results, 1stinrail is now rolling the technology out across its full 140-vehicle fleet, with wider deployment planned across parent company RSK Group.

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