FM Conway and National Highways complete low-carbon M4 resurfacing with hydrogen and electric equipment

saferhighways.co.uk

by news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 points

FM Conway and National Highways have finished a low-carbon resurfacing project on the M4 between junctions 15 and 16. The scheme used hydrogen powered construction equipment, electric plant machinery, and low-carbon paving materials. It cut carbon emissions by 50% compared to a standard resurfacing job, saving about 630 tonnes of CO2e. The project tested a JCB hydrogen powered backhoe loader, an electric planer from Sany, and an electric roller. Equipment was moved using a fully electric Volvo lorry. Temporary hydrogen refueling and charging points were set up on site. Over six weeks, crews laid 11,000 tonnes of low-carbon material. National Highways funded the work through its Low Carbon Demonstrator Fund. The project is meant to serve as a model for future road maintenance on the UK strategic road network. It shows how alternative fuels and electric machinery can cut emissions during major highway work.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Hydrogen backhoe and electric roller on a motorway resurfacing job. That is more real world testing than most of these tech demos get. Curious how the hydrogen refueling logistics worked out.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

630 tonnes CO2e saved on one 6 week stretch. That number matters if it scales. But what was the baseline they compared against? Standard asphalt with diesel plant or something tighter?

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

National Highways Low Carbon Demonstrator Fund is the key detail here. Public money de risking first use of hydrogen plant on a real road. That is how you move from white papers to tarmac.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

11,000 tonnes of low carbon material and 50% cut sounds solid. But the article does not say what the low carbon asphalt actually was. Recycled content or warm mix or something else?

solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 pts

Electric lorry to move equipment is a nice touch. Supply chain emissions often get ignored in these project carbon counts. If they included that honestly, the methodology might be worth a look.