Cleaner Construction

The construction industry is working towards the ultimate goal of zero emission machines that will help to make businesses more environmentally sustainable. The electrification of construction equipment will produce cleaner, quieter and more efficient machines, cleaner construction is the future of our industry.

Here we have the opportunity to benefit from shared technology and capitalise on the experience and work that has already been done. This puts the industry in a good position to develop a solution for construction equipment that functions in all the applications, climates and environments our customers operate in while allowing them to benefit from increased quality and lower costs.

Since 2008, heavy duty diesel road vehicles have had to meet emissions standards to avoid being charged for travelling within the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ). From 2020 an ultra low emission zone will be introduced in central London; this will require all vehicles to be either zero or ultra low emission.

It is also important to take action to reduce emissions from non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) to protect and improve the health of those living and working in the city.  The latest version of the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory estimates that in 2010 the NRMM used on construction sites was responsible for 12% of Mono-Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions and 15% of Particulate Matter (PM10) emissions in Greater London.

To address this significant contribution by non-road mobile machinery to London’s poor air quality the Greater London Authority will seek to control the emissions from this equipment from 2015 by establishing emissions standards for London.

2015 Emission Standards

From 1 September 2015 NRMM of net power between 37kW and 560kW used in London will be required to meet the standards set out below. This will apply to both variable and constant speed engines for both NOx and PM. These standards will be based upon engine emissions standards set in EU Directive 97/68/EC and its subsequent amendments. NRMM used on the site of any major development within Greater London, the Central Activity Zone or Canary Wharf will be required to meet certain levels of the directive.

These requirements may be met using the following techniques;

• Reorganisation of NRMM fleet
• Replacing equipment (with new or second hand equipment which meets the policy)
• Retrofit abatement technologies
• Engine replacement

These NRMM emissions standards will apply to all construction projects which are active from September 2015 including those which commenced before this date. 

An inventory of all NRMM should be kept on-site stating the emission limits for all equipment.

The action that we are seeing in London is being replicated across the UK and in Europe. Low-Emission Zones (LEZ) and Zero-Emission Zones (ZEZ) are being imposed in around 80 European cities to improve urban air quality. LEZ and ZEZs restrict access for polluting vehicles or only allow those vehicles that meet the latest emission standards, such as regular and plug-in hybrids or zero-emission vehicles such as all-electric models.

GGR Group is committed to sustainability and already have an extensive fleet of zero emissions cranes such as the UNIC Eco-095, our glazing robots, vacuum lifters and our range of industrial pick and carry cranes.

It is not just our cranes and lifting equipment that are going green, GGR were awarded FORS Gold status for our fleet of vans and trucks.

We have invested heavily into the development of more zero emissions machines and believe that cleaner machines will be vital to the well being of the industry and those that work in it.

If you would like to know more about our zero emissions machines, please feel free tocontact us and one of our friendly team of experts will be on hand to give you any information or advice that you need.