Hire and Rental News - February 2019

Australia is not yet required to meet strict environmental and emissions standards imposed elsewhere in the world... Sustainability, emissions reductions and what it means for equipment in Australia While Australian politicians dither over potential climate change and emissions targets in some variant of the ever changing National Energy Policy to stipulate cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, European Union (EU) equipment manufacturers and American equipment manufacturers are leading the way in introducing equipment offering alternate fuel sources. T here are now a plethora of electric machines, from plug-in, hybrid or genset powered, battery paired with electric motors and prototypes of fully electric industrial equipment popping up at international shows. Plus product innovation to improve environmental performance of tools and equipment through use of lithium batteries, renewable energy and hybrid fuel technology is also increasing and many businesses are now thinking more sustainably. Uptake of ‘greener’ technology has been much higher in the UK and Europe than elsewhere since emissions targets are much stricter. In Australia we are now seeing more choice in equipment with options in diesel and electric so one machine can now effectively do all the jobs that used to be done by one. Cost becomes less of an issue and savings on operation and efficiency also contribute to a greater push for hybrid equipment. Australia is not yet required to meet strict environmental and emissions standards imposed elsewhere in the world, such as the UK, where in London, diesel machines are no longer allowed within city limits, forcing widespread use of hybrid technology. According to Morris Site Machinery, which offers welders, pumps, generators and lighting, but in Australia is all about lighting; within the EU, Directive requires, in order to be first placed on the EU market, engines for use in non-road mobile machinery must be approved to demonstrate compliance with pollutant emission limits. The measures arose from an EC policy to harmonise the national arrangements of Member States, thus removing potential barriers to trade. Directive 97/68/EC has been subsequently amended by 2001/63/EC, 2002/88/EC, 2004/26/EC, 2006/105/EC, 2011/88/EU and the last amendment Directive 2012/46/EU. “The Directive was implemented into UK law by the “Non-Road Mobile Machinery (Emission of Gaseous and Particulate Pollutants) Regulations 1999” (Statutory Instrument No. 1999/1053). The Regulations apply to new engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery, intended and suited to move, or to be moved on the ground, either on or off the road,” Chris Morris, CEO Morris Site Machinery (MSM) said. Currently in EU; EU Stage IIIA “Mobile off-highway equipment supplied into the EU will have to meet Stage V emission regulations by the end of 2020. MSM will be introducing Stage V conformant engines into our production in 2019 to meet this requirement for the EU market. In the US “United States: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Emissions Standards Regulations EPA Tier 4 Final. MSM is able to supply equipment with engines that meet these emission regulations,” Chris said. In Australia “Australian Government, Department of the Environment and Energy, Product Emissions Standards Legislative Framework. Product Emissions Standards Act 2017 No. 104, 2017 covers a broad spectrum of machinery. “In terms of Australia, there is no country- wide legislation relating to diesel engines, but there was legislation drafted for ‘spark ignited’ engines in 2017. “However, New South Wales has implemented a local state legislation for diesel engines above 19kW whereby from Jan 2018 all engines 19-560kW have to have minimum emissions level of EPA Tier 4 or be EU Stage IV compliant. “(Note; mobile lighting tower engines are below the 19Kw, but MSM would still go with the policy of supplying the same specification as for EU.) “Though Australian authorities are aware they do not have a regulation to cover off- road mobile machinery they are active in their approach that such machinery imported into Australia should conform to the EPA, EU latest emission standards, or similar. “It is the intention of MSM to supply the same specification of engine to Australia to that supplied into the EU,” Chris said. Access industry compliance According to Snorkel’s CEO Matthew Elvin, in the United States, Snorkel equipment complies with US EPA Tier 4 Final requirements. “In Europe, we currently comply with Stage IIIA or IIIB requirements because they are required for the power output of the engine. Stage V requirements will take effect in 2019. There is a two-year transitional period for Stage V, however, we plan to implement Stage V in much of our equipment as soon as possible, depending on the supply availability of engines,” Matthew said. “In New South Wales, Tier 3 is required for all underground mining applications, government purchases and contract equipment. However, other than that there are currently no emissions standards for ‘non-road’ diesel engines in Australia. “In Australia, ultra-low sulfur fuel is used which means while the regulation is not currently applicable, the fuel is correct for these engines from both European and USA standards to function correctly. This allows the industry and Snorkel to ship standard products from both European and USA production facilities to the Australian market. “These regulations are in place to reduce the total emissions from off-highway engines and help reduce smog in populated areas. The Continued on p64... Uptake of ‘greener’ technology has been much higher in the UK and Europe than elsewhere since emissions targets are much stricter HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS FEBRUARY 2019 P63 SUSTAINABILITY