CPA Bulletin

TECHNICAL www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > August 2019 51 TECHNICAL In 2018, the Government announced a call for evidence on the use of rebated gas oil (red diesel) for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM), allowing them to understand what is preventing users/owners from switching to cleaner technologies. This call for evidence formed part of the Government’s Clean Air Strategy 2018 consultation on emission reductions, seeking to understand the issues of NRMM red diesel use. They claimed that red diesel use makes up over 15% of total diesel used and believed that the majority of red diesel is used by NRMM fromwhich they sought a better understanding of why red diesel is used and what are the main barriers to switching to cleaner technologies and how best to encourage those who use mobile machinery - particularly in urban areas - to purchase cleaner alternatives. They also wanted to know what cleaner alternatives currently exist and were seeking data on equipment numbers, use, lifespan and cleaner alternatives - either technologies or practices. The CPA surveyed Members based on a series of provided questions and collated and presented Member’s responses back to Government along with a list of other factors that CPA members wished to convey. The Government has now published a report citing 78 formal responses received including 18 from the construction sector. In essence, the report concludes that providers or developers of alternative technologies and fuels were in support of changes to red diesel taxation and that using red diesel was a barrier to cleaner fuels and technology. However, users of NRMM took the opposite view with reasons such as that alternative technologies were not sufficiently developed or reliable, alternatives were not cost-competitive and that taxation changes would create significant costs to business, with most claiming they would pass these costs onto their customers. Other arguments made included that policy changes should be considered which encourages users to update their NRMM fleet to ones that meet the latest emissions standards such as Stage V engines, and that additional tax revenues raised through red diesel taxation should be invested in developing new technologies and getting better access to alternative fuels. In conclusion, the Government has stated that the responses from both industry and manufacturers of machinery make it clear that the cost and a lack of alternatives to diesel are of concern. This they say is the case to a greater and lesser extent across many sectors. However, the call for evidence has established that for some uses, practical alternatives to red diesel do exist. The Government confirms that they will not set out any specific proposals at this time. However, they will continue to pursue policies that reduce the overall environmental impact of diesel use and encourage the uptake of alternatives in industries where a practical substitute for diesel engines is available. The full report can be downloaded from www.gov.uk/government/ consultations/non-road-mobile- machinery-and-red-diesel-excluding- use-for-agriculture-fishing-vessels- home-heating-and-other-static-uses Government Report on Red Diesel Survey Now Published