With the ban on new petrol and diesels from 2040 grabbing the headlines it leaves the question; what is going to happen in the near term to tackle air quality? Carlos Vicente at Eminox looks at the detail behind the headlines
The Government’s Air Quality Plan was published on July 26 outlining how the Government intends to reduce roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations. Many of the details are still to be finalised, with local authorities given the responsibility for producing detailed plans, though on a strict timescale.The plan is set against new modelling, which shows less improvement in air quality between 2017 and 2021 than was previously predicted. Heavy duty diesel vehicles contribute over half of UK national average roadside concentration of NO2 according to Defra’s Air Quality analysis. Modelling in the new plan shows that, without action, 32 areas, mostly around major roads, will not meet legal air quality limits until well beyond 2020. Not surprisingly, London is one of these areas, and Mayor Sadiq Khan intends to implement the Central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) early, from April 8, 2019.[wlm_nonmember][…]
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The plan is set against new modelling, which shows less improvement in air quality between 2017 and 2021 than was previously predicted. Heavy duty diesel vehicles contribute over half of UK national average roadside concentration of NO2 according to Defra’s Air Quality analysis. Modelling in the new plan shows that, without action, 32 areas, mostly around major roads, will not meet legal air quality limits until well beyond 2020. Not surprisingly, London is one of these areas, and Mayor Sadiq Khan intends to implement the Central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) early, from April 8, 2019.Twenty-eight other local authorities in England are required to produce plans for tackling air pollution by March 2018. Following consultation, final plans must be published by December 2018. The plans must consider a range of measures, including ‘innovative retrofit technologies’, such as SCRT, and new fuels before considering access restrictions and vehicle charging in these ‘Clean Air Zones’. The Government expects local authorities to take a lead in cleaning up their own fleets and is emphasising the potential benefits of retrofitting, in particular of public transport fleets in Clean Air Zones (CAZ).
Twenty-eight other local authorities in England are required to produce plans for tackling air pollution by March 2018. Following consultation, final plans must be published by December 2018. The plans must consider a range of measures, including ‘innovative retrofit technologies’, such as SCRT, and new fuels before considering access restrictions and vehicle charging in these ‘Clean Air Zones’. The Government expects local authorities to take a lead in cleaning up their own fleets and is emphasising the potential benefits of retrofitting, in particular of public transport fleets in Clean Air Zones (CAZ).
The five original Clean Air Zone cities (Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton) are still expected to implement measures by the end of 2019; other areas will be given more time. The Scottish and Welsh Government are also working on air quality plans.Announcements in the Air Quality Plan mean that the shift to ultra-low and zero emission vehicles
Announcements in the Air Quality Plan mean that the shift to ultra-low and zero emission vehicles is in the spotlight, but we should also look at the impacts and options available today. The phasing out of diesel and petrol comes with many challenges and heavy duty vehicles will be some of the most difficult to make fully electric. However, diesel engines can be clean, reaching near zero emissions, not just in lab tests, but proven in real-world operation. The latest generation of SCRT can reduce NOx and NO2 by 99%, and Particulate Matter by 95%, resulting in emissions equivalent to Euro650. So it meets the requirements laid out in the air quality plan, including ULEZ and CAZ standards.This proven real-world performance is now backed by new technologies to ensure ongoing real-world performance; CADi (Control and Diagnostics Interface) will gather real-world, real-time data on system operation, including emissions performance. This information will be available
This proven real-world performance is now backed by new technologies to ensure ongoing real-world performance; CADi (Control and Diagnostics Interface) will gather real-world, real-time data on system operation, including emissions performance. This information will be available whenever, wherever and however it is needed via Eminox’ new telematics solution. Maintenance alerts can also be provided to help vehicle operators to plan proactive maintenance.The fact that this technology is proven and available now will make it an attractive way forward for operators, as
The fact that this technology is proven and available now will make it an attractive way forward for operators, as retrofit is a fraction of the cost of buying a new vehicle.
National clean air certification scheme
The Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) has been launched to provide a national certification scheme for retrofit emissions reduction technology. The scheme has been developed jointly by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) and the Energy Saving Trust (EST). It provides a single standard for any emission technology, which can be validated to meet the standards set out in the Government’s CAZ Framework for England. This will also be the requirement for London ULEZ.
The Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme has set out an independent, evidence-based resource that lists all approved vehicle retrofit technology.
Having a single national scheme will mean that operators know that once they fit an approved retrofit system, their vehicle will meet the requirements for any ULEZ or CAZ anywhere in the country.
With extensive testing already completed, Eminox knows its SCRT technology meets the CVRAS standards and expects to achieve official certification of SCRT soon.
This is just the start of an extensive programme of developing and testing systems for a wide range of makes and models, in preparation for the expected retrofit demand, Eminox said.
Another important role of CVRAS is that it provides the technical standard for funded retrofit schemes. This dovetails into the announcement in the Air Quality Plan that a £40m fund will be available to retrofit public transport vehicles, although details are still to be announced.
London ULEZ: coming soon?
The new air quality plan modelling shows that, without action, London will not meet legal air quality limits until 2028. London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced his intention to implement the Central London ULEZ early, from April 8, 2019. The zone will cover the same area as the congestion charge zone, and will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It will apply to all vehicles, with the minimum standard being Euro 6 or retrofit equivalent, in line with CVRAS, referred to above.
The consultation around ULEZ implementation date has now closed and the final decision is expected in Autumn 2017. The consultation on expanding ULEZ across the whole of Greater London, for heavy duty vehicles, which would affect buses, coaches and trucks from 2020, is now expected to take place in winter 2017. The expansion of ULEZ to the North and South Circular for cars and was ruled out in the recent Mayor’s Environment Strategy, instead, an inner London ULEZ is proposed.
Plans are already in place to upgrade TfL-controlled buses across Greater London and by 2020 the entire London bus fleet will be at least Euro 6 standard. An £86.1m retrofit programme will upgrade around 5,000 London buses (more than half of London’s entire bus fleet) and cut emissions by up to 95%.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We know that pollution from our roads is a major contributor to London’s toxic air. That’s why we are working so hard to introduce new clean buses on our streets and why we are continually looking for innovative ways to clean up the most polluting vehicles. There’s no doubt that by cutting the emissions of more than half of the fleet by up to 95%, this innovative retrofit programme is going to make a huge difference to Londoners.”
Eminox is one of five suppliers appointed to retrofit the exhaust systems and will be using the latest generation of its SCRT technology. Eminox has long-established relationships with the major bus operators in London, having worked with them on previous retrofit programmes.
Emissions testing is complete for a range of diesel and hybrid buses including Volvo and Alexander Dennis, meeting and even bettering the strict requirements of the TfL programme.
This covers some of the most common bus types across the UK, which may also need to be upgraded to meet new Clean Air Zones requirements.
Eminox is the only supplier on the TfL programme to manufacture in the UK and it has an established UK service and support network. The company has been established since 1978 and helped operators to upgrade thousands of vehicles during previous phases of the London Low Emission Zone, using its CRT system. Eminox is now ready to help meet new challenges with its SCRT technology.
Although the industry is waiting for clarification on ULEZ, it is clear that operators need to start including this in their vehicle purchasing and upgrade plans.
What’s the conclusion?
The UK Government has stated in its air quality plan that it believes retrofit technology like SCRT will be an important element of reducing emissions and help bridge the gap in the journey towards zero emissions by 2040.
Behind the headline grabbing announcements, it is clear that bus and coach operators should prepare for change now. With the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme now in place and details of a funding scheme expected soon, operators who act early will be ready for London ULEZ, whether it comes in 2019 or 2020 and ready for Clean Air Zones, whatever the final details are.
For more information about Eminox, visit www.eminox.com or call 01427 810088. [/wlm_ismember]
