The first selective catalytic reduction (SCR) retrofit solution for conventional heavy goods vehicles has been accredited under the UK’s Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS).
The announcement comes ahead of the introduction of Clean Air Zones (CAZs) in Birmingham and Leeds in 2020.
The retrofit SCR system, developed by Proventia OY for a (13-15 tonne) Mercedes Benz Atego truck, has been certified under CVRAS as achieving Euro VI-equivalent emissions levels. The CVRAS scheme has been developed by LowCVP and is managed by Energy Saving Trust.
Shift to lower carbon
Established in 2003, LowCVP is a public-private partnership of around 200 organisations aimed at accelerating a “sustainable shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels and create opportunities for UK businesses”.
Extend service life
Andy Eastlake, managing director, LowCVP, said: “LowCVP and Energy Saving Trust have been working closely with the retrofit industry to deliver the widest range of applications for this technology. The evidence from Euro VI has shown how effective this can be in cleaning up emissions from valuable older vehicles where replacement is uneconomic.”
“With the first truck systems now in place there’s every reason to accelerate emission zone implementation and deliver the air quality we all need.”
Potential solution
Colin Smith, programme manager for clean vehicle retrofit, Energy Saving Trust, said: “This latest CVRAS approved system, the first for an HGV application, demonstrates that SCR retrofit is a potential solution for the truck sector. Clean Air Zones are being introduced in our towns and cities and we need to reduce pollutant emissions to improve air quality for all. The Proventia retrofit system is another step in the right direction.”
Paving the way
LowCVP says the Proventia “paves the way for this vital sector to embrace retrofits in the same way as the bus sector has done, capitalising on the support being offered by several local authorities to help operators meet the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) requirements”.
Any vehicle fitted with a CVRAS-approved system can enter a CAZ in England, a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Scotland and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London, free of charge or penalty.
To help accelerate the approval of retrofit systems, earlier this year the government’s Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) awarded £1m to retrofit suppliers to help offset the cost of the testing required to become approved under CVRAS.
Leeds and Birmingham City Councils also have initiatives to help HGV (and non-scheduled bus and coach operators) with finance for retrofit systems.
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Andrew Baxter
Former deputy editor (maternity cover)
Andrew Baxter is an experienced journalist and content creator, starting out as a staff writer 17 years ago. He has held a number of positions on both B2B and consumer titles, including AM magazine.
Edward Handley - 27/09/2019 12:48
TfL are estimated to make a profit of about £150 million a year from the ULEZ. This will go up dramatically when the ULEZ area is expanded to include the area inside the North and South Circular Roads. Wouldn't it be nice if TfL offerred to spend this massive surplus on retrofitting pre-Euro 6 trucks so making a positive contribution to improving London's, and other cities, air quality? I suspect TfL will find other uses for the money though.