More than 30 zero-emission machines are now working on the £10bn Lower Thames Crossing, as construction of the new road and tunnel gathers pace.
The project for National Highways began in early 2026 and is being delivered using electric, HVO and hydrogen-powered equipment. The fleet already includes 20-tonne excavators, rollers, tractors, telehandlers and hydrogen generators.
The number of diesel-free machines is expected to reach 150 when construction peaks in 2028. Diesel has not been permitted on the crossing’s construction sites since 2025, making it the first major British infrastructure project to take that approach.
Testing cleaner construction at scale
The project’s leadership says the aim is to make the crossing the greenest road ever built in the UK. Using several lower-carbon power sources on a large construction site also gives the industry a chance to test equipment and working methods that could become more common elsewhere.
The crossing is being built beneath the River Thames, linking the wider road network across the estuary. Its construction is expected to remain a major test of how large infrastructure projects can reduce their reliance on diesel.
Why it matters for Britain
The project is putting electric, HVO and hydrogen machinery to work on a major UK site, helping demonstrate how cleaner construction equipment can be used at scale. If these methods become normal practice, they could help cut emissions from future infrastructure work across Britain.
