Lower Thames Crossing: new powertrain, same lifting responsibilities

Alternative-powered plant at scale

National Highways announced on 30 September 2026 that more than 30 machines were already working on the Lower Thames Crossing in Kent and Essex, with the fleet expected to grow to around 150 by peak construction in 2028. The equipment mix includes 20-tonne excavators, telehandlers, rollers, tractors and hydrogen generators. The project uses electric, hydrogen and HVO-powered equipment and has excluded conventional diesel from its construction sites since 2025.

HVO is a lower-carbon replacement fuel rather than a zero-tailpipe-emission powertrain; machine specifications and lifting capabilities must be checked by exact model and variant.

New powertrain, same lifting responsibilities

An electric or hydrogen-powered machine should not automatically be treated as having the same lifting capacity, counterweight, stability or operating limits as a superficially similar diesel version. The Appointed Person must use manufacturer information applicable to the actual machine and configuration.

• Identify the exact excavator or telehandler variant.
• Verify the applicable OEM load chart and attachment configuration.
• Confirm lifting point, load weight, radius and travel limitations.
• Assess ground conditions and any charging or hydrogen-site interfaces.
• Record configuration, capacity, RAG utilisation and competent approval.

LiftPlanProUK application

LiftPlanProUK supports machine-specific planning, load charts, configurable lifting schedules and a retained approval trail. Changing how a machine is powered does not remove the need to plan the lift properly.