The DLR, EVOLIS, FFB, SEIMAT and FNTP federations have joined forces with the industry to support the decarbonization of construction equipment. They took part in drafting the report drawn up by the "GT5 construction equipment" working group, as part of the roadmap for the decarbonization of heavy vehicles.
Construction activities account for 3.5% of France's greenhouse gas emissions, with 2.9 MtCO2e. Today, with 98% of construction machinery running on diesel fuel, the question of energy supply is one of the difficulties posed by decarbonization. So we need to bring energy to construction sites.
Four commitments
However, there are ways to take action, and the industry is committed to them, with 4 avenues of action.
First of all, we need to adopt the right energy for each application, by upgrading machines to stage 5 standard, electrifying compact machines, and promoting low-carbon fuels (and tomorrow using hydrogen and synthetic fuels). These measures need to be supported, in particular by encouraging investment by users (rental companies and construction firms), but also by supporting hydrogen R&D.
Energy saving is also a mode of action, through the widespread deployment of start/stop and energy recovery systems, eco-driving training for operators, the installation of machine guidance systems on new equipment, and awareness-raising on digital decision-making and worksite management tools.
Secondly, the ecological transition requires employees' skills to be adapted, so we need to adapt training frameworks and train employees for the ecological transition, encourage apprenticeships and improve the attractiveness of our professions. Lastly, players need to be made more aware of CSR in order to promote low-carbon solutions, strengthen circular supply and mechanize deconstruction-reconstruction and on-site recycling (thanks to strong political guidance). The creation of a regulatory and financial framework should enable retrofitting and remanufacturing, as well as the establishment of a battery recycling channel.
Photo: archives ©kiloutou
