Outdated diesel machines will be banned from Utrecht construction sites after the summer of 2025. As the first municipality in the Netherlands, Utrecht sets targeted emission requirements for engines of mobile equipment in permit applications. The municipal executive has established a policy rule Emission Reduction Obligation (nitrogen) in construction and demolition work for this purpose.
The measure contributes to less nitrogen and particulate matter emissions, resulting in cleaner Utrecht air and less odor around Utrecht construction sites. The ban will come into effect after the summer.
It concerns the banning of old diesel equipment aged 12 to 19 years, usually without a particulate filter or catalyst. The use of newer construction machines is still possible.
Alderman Eva Oosters (Environment and Emission-Free Transport): “We see that construction companies are increasingly replacing their construction machines - such as shovels and excavators - with electric variants or opting for machines on hydrogen. We also see more electric construction transport. We also encourage this in our own projects, and we are working on more charging points for construction. With this measure, we provide an incentive for the construction sector to actively phase out the really outdated diesel machines. They are the most polluting for Utrecht air and harmful to the lungs of construction workers and residents.”
The emission requirements align with the national Covenant Clean and Emission-Free Building (SEB) and depend on the power class of the equipment. Projects that have already started are eligible for tailor-made agreements. The municipality will actively monitor compliance, with violations potentially leading to fines.
A significant step towards an emission-free construction sector
The policy rule is an elaboration of Utrechts air quality policy and a significant step towards cleaner and eventually almost completely emission-free building by 2030. The municipality has investigated that the financial impact of this ban on the construction sector is limited (0.1% additional costs). Outdated diesel machines can also be retrofitted with particulate filters or replaced with slightly younger alternatives until 2028. From 2030, the use of fully emission-free small and medium-sized machines will be mandatory.
National cooperation for emission-free building
Utrecht signed the Covenant Clean and Emission-Free Building (SEB) in 2023, now together with 111 other parties, including construction organizations, clients, municipalities, and provinces. The covenant provides a roadmap for the transition to emission-free building. The Utrecht requirements align with this, so builders throughout the Netherlands face the same rules.
More information about the covenant can be found at www.opwegnaarseb.nl. For details on the emission requirements and the associated power classes, see: www.utrecht.nl/emissieloosbouwen. The associated council letter can be found here.
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