Successful testing of renewable diesel in the Cold War-era M548 troop carriers at The Tank Museum means a greener future for the museum’s historic running fleet.
Following a trial use of biofuel over the May half-term and summer holidays, The Tank Museum has announced that its popular M548 troop carrier rides will continue to run on a more environmentally-friendly diesel alternative made from vegetable oil.
This renewable diesel is chemically similar to conventional diesel, meaning it can be used without modification to the engine or fuel system, but as it is derived from biomass sources, like used cooking oils, fats and grease, it has a significantly lower carbon intensity.
The M548 troop carrier rides – which run throughout the day during school holidays – clock up the highest mileage of any of The Tank Museum’s historic vehicles, using about 20 liters of fuel a day. The switch to renewable diesel will reduce carbon emissions by 65 to 90 percent for this fuel.
Workshop Manager Duncan Masters said in a press release:
“It is important to us to do everything we can to be sustainable and reduce our impact on the environment, and it’s brilliant to see ideas like this put into action by the team.
“As well as the renewable diesel, we have been trialing the use of a sustainable petrol. So far this has been limited to the Hotchkiss Jeep, but we will be evaluating other vehicles over the winter period to investigate which may be able [to] use this fuel next year.
“We’d like to thank our sponsor, Murco, who provides the fuel for our historic running vehicles and has made this project possible.”
There’s still time to visit The Tank Museum this summer! The tracked vehicle rides will be available at the museum until September 2, 2025, and then they will be back in spring 2026.
More from us: See Historic World War II-Era Tanks in Action at Tiger Day Autumn 2025
Visit The Tank Museum’s website to find out more, and pre-book your entry tickets online to save 15 percent.