City of London Corporation bans diesel vehicle purchases for its business
03 August 2016
The City of London Corporation—the municipal governing body of the City of London—has banned the purchase of diesel vehicles for its business, in a drive to reduce public exposure to air pollution. The policy is the latest in a series of anti-pollution measures brought in by the local authority, which has a fleet of more than 300 vehicles.
Some models of vehicle, such as tractors, which the Corporation uses on its green spaces like Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, do not have a non-diesel alternative. These vehicles will continue to be used until a clean alternative becomes available on the market.
Last month the Corporation announced plans for a London-wide crackdown on drivers who leave their engines idling, following a series of successful trials in the City of London.Last year it agreed a deal with Addison Lee—London’s biggest private hire firm—automatically to switch hybrid taxis to electric mode in key areas of the Square Mile.
It has also created a ‘City Air App’, which gives low-pollution travel routes to more than 15,000 Londoners, introduced a City-wide 20 mph zone, and issued new procurement rules restricting harmful emissions from bulldozers and generators.
Since 2009, the City Corporation has achieved a vehicle emissions reduction of more than 40% NOx and more than 50% PM10 due to a reduction in its fleet size and the purchase of newer and cleaner vehicles.
The City of London Corporation’s remit goes beyond City borders. It sponsors academies in Hackney, Islington and Southwark, manages housing estates and green spaces across London, and even operates Heathrow Airport’s Animal Reception Center as part of its role as the animal health authority for London.
It would be good to add pollution control devices to tractors etc where it is not economical to make a full electric version.
On the other hand, there has to be a market for e-tractors for just this application (urban parks).
Posted by: mahonj | 03 August 2016 at 07:38 AM
From memory garden equipment emissions account for significant 20%+ percentage of urban pollution including noise.
They are typically used for short periods of time so are ideally suited to electrification and would be a good fit for minimal solar charging facility. 1 panel /regulator = very low cost . Low noise etc.
Stihll and Husquavarna are two recognised brand manufactures of e-machines including chainsaws.
They offer top handled (balance point located at the speed hand these saws suitable for arborists that AKAIKnow are only professionally qualified as such discriminating operators. The weight penalty is less than 10%.
The cost for these is equivalent to the petrol versions with extra battery packs the initial cost would be more but no fuel cost no noise and no exhaust in your face what not to like?
Very neighbour and operator friendly.
Backpacks and (long) pole pruners for day long commercial use have been available for ~10 years.
Lawnmowers and yard tractors are becoming more available.
The commercial versions with more battery storage are a larger investment but the benefits to the business and esp operator(vibration noise and toxic fumes) can be made even when the neighbourhood nuisance and environmental affects are ignored.
Followers on this site will see that 0 emission battery powered vehicles up to 8 ton and bus are finding a market today.
Many or most small holdings will find farm tractors up to ~ 3 ton are used for very short periods and very irregularly.
Let's not forget that the same battery capacity would easily serve household or workshop power off grid or grid tied renewable time shifting.
For parts of the world where there is no established or reliable grid, the economics are not in question.
For the rest with well developed grids the economics have now reached parity .
For new electricity connections the economic arguments in favour of renewable generation and storage are in many (if not most) cases a 'no brainer'.
The more we can integrate renewable e generation with end use the more that costs can be defrayed.
Posted by: Arnold | 03 August 2016 at 03:15 PM
City of Sydney state transport bus are all (effectively) diesel converted to NG or OEM NG powered diesel engine based models.
Many street sweepers etc run lpg again these are based on diesel esp. H.D. engines.
As well there are many diesels running with lpg boost so diesel as ignition source.
All the above were devised primarily to reduce fleet fuel costs.
There are many ways to reduce local pollution banning the diesel will focus the minds of suppliers as will the enforcement of polluter pays strategy.
Posted by: Arnold | 03 August 2016 at 03:40 PM