Image: John Zammit / Absolute Photography
HS2 has announced that it will set demanding new emissions standards for construction vehicles to encourage the industry to invest in new technology.
All diesel HGVs working on the HS2 project will have to be powered by the cleanest available Euro VI engine, which go beyond current UK standards.
All newly-made combustion engine vehicles must comply with Euro VI, the most recent and strictest standard.
HS2 has already introduced the stipulation for HGVs and plans to extend the standard for cars and vans in 2020.
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As well as HGVs, cars and vans, a fleet of off-road machinery like excavators, cranes and diesel-powered generators is needed to build the 345 miles of the UK’s new high-speed railway.
Currently only London sets any emissions standards at all for off-road machines. However, HS2 is insisting equipment used along the route’s entire length meets the EU Stage 3b standard, rising to less-polluting Stage 4 in 2020.
In the capital’s Congestion Charge Zone HS2 already demands its contractors comply with Stage 4, and will raise it to Stage 5 next year – staying one step ahead of the city’s own emissions standards.
HS2 director of environment Peter Miller said: “We are leading the industry in vehicle emission standards by exceeding London’s construction industry standards and extending them 345 miles across the country. We are determined to use the project’s scale and duration to help cut the release of harmful combustion engine emissions by stipulating contractors building Britain’s new high-speed rail network use the cleanest vehicles and machinery available.
“By setting new vehicle emission standards for contractors we will contribute to efforts to improve air quality; and leave a legacy of a new fleet of low-emission HGVs and construction equipment to work on future projects. We also hope our rules influence local authorities along the route to follow HS2’s lead and introduce exacting emissions standards in their area, which would benefit huge swathes of the country.”
