Can Diesel Go Further? GB Railfreight Launches Large-Scale Fuel Additive Trial

Why It Matters

The findings could improve fleet utilisation and lower operating costs while supporting the industry’s carbon‑reduction targets, making diesel operations more sustainable.

Key Takeaways

• GB Railfreight starts two‑week diesel additive trial
• Partners Fuelcare, Treyarnon assess engine efficiency gains
• Trial measures emissions reductions and extended range
• Results could inform UK rail fuel sustainability strategy

Pulse Analysis

The UK rail freight market is under pressure to cut emissions while maintaining profitability, prompting operators like GB Railfreight to explore incremental technology upgrades. Fuel additives, especially biocides, have long been used in marine and aviation sectors to preserve fuel quality, but their impact on heavy‑duty diesel locomotives remains under‑researched. By partnering with Fuelcare—a specialist in fuel management—and Treyarnon Consulting, GBRf is applying laboratory‑grade chemistry to real‑world freight routes, gathering data on combustion efficiency, particulate output, and fuel stability under demanding operating cycles.

From a technical standpoint, the additives aim to suppress microbial growth that can cause sludge, corrosion, and filter blockages in diesel tanks. Cleaner fuel translates to smoother engine performance, potentially reducing fuel consumption per mile and extending the interval between refuelling stops. Early industry reports suggest that even modest efficiency gains of 2‑3% can yield significant cost savings across a large fleet, while lower emissions help operators meet tightening UK and EU environmental regulations. The trial’s two‑week window, running until 22 March, provides a focused yet robust dataset that captures varied load profiles and seasonal temperature effects.

Strategically, the trial aligns with GBRf’s broader sustainability roadmap, which includes deploying bi‑mode Class 99 locomotives capable of electric operation on electrified corridors. Demonstrating that legacy diesel units can also become greener reinforces GBRf’s market positioning as an innovator in freight logistics. Should the additive prove effective, the company could roll it out across its older diesel stock, improving asset utilisation and offering a cost‑effective bridge toward a fully decarbonised rail network. The outcome may also influence industry standards, encouraging wider adoption of fuel‑quality technologies throughout the UK rail freight sector.