Clean tech experts Dearman have welcomed the government’s draft Clean Air Strategy launched today and the tougher action planned for diesel-powered machinery.
The strategy also cites Dearman’s groundbreaking work to develop zero emission transport refrigeration units, particularly the company’s successful trial with Sainsbury’s.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has proposed devolving powers to local government to further regulate non-road mobile machinery (NRMM), which includes diesel transport refrigeration units. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has particularly asked for these powers.
Transport refrigeration units are powered by weakly regulated secondary engines that are disproportionately polluting and can be powered by cheaper red diesel. They can emit up to 29 times as much particulate matter and six times as much nitrogen oxide as Euro 6 main engines.
Today’s tougher action on diesel machinery comes after last week’s call by Treasury minister Robert Jenrick to “level the playing field” for clean technologies undercut by the urban use of red diesel in such machinery.
Dearman estimates that the UK has 26,000 cold delivery trucks that have a weakly regulated second diesel engine. Encouraging all of these to switch to zero emission secondary engines could reduce Britain’s particulate matter emissions by the equivalent of 3.2 million diesel cars.
Commenting, Dearman’s Director of Special Projects, David Rivington, said
“We welcome the government’s draft Clean Air Strategy, which sets out vital actions to tackle a range of emissions including nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. We particularly welcome the new powers being handed to local government, including for the regulation of diesel-powered machinery, as this will allow local communities to tackle emissions which are significant but often overlooked.
“Government has invested in many zero emission technologies developed by British small businesses, such as Dearman, and this strategy has the potential to support the uptake of innovative technologies while helping to save lives.
