The government is set to move ahead with a law change that will see hydrogen-powered diggers, mobile cranes and other construction machinery allowed to operate on public roads.
As per Construction News, Transport Minister Lord Peter Hendy told Parliament that the government would be making an amendment to The Roads Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, allowing hydrogen machinery to drive on public roads across the country, after manufacturers previously responded to a 2024 consultation labelling the law as it is – hydrogen machinery needing a special exemption to be used on public roads – a barrier to wider uptake of low or zero-emission plant.
According to Hendy, legislation is expected to be introduced alongside the government’s response to the public consultation which is due in April.
Troy Aharonian, Head of Public Affairs at Hydrogen UK, commented: “Hydrogen has a pivotal role to play in decarbonising industries like construction, which require off-grid power to operate heavy machinery that is ill-suited for electrification. This announcement is a positive step towards properly regulating hydrogen use and enabling the UK’s construction sector to achieve net zero.”
