There are only five 100% emissions-free giant Liebherr cranes in the world at present, three of them being employed by Laing O’Rourke’s Select Plant arm.

The contractor’s Expanded business, working for Balfour Beatty, Vinci Systra joint venture, has put a 250-tonne and 160-tonne to work constructing the 850m long Old Oak Common Station box, which will house six high-speed rail platforms.

Select is also supplying a 160-tonne Liebherr LR1160E to Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture at HS2’s Canterbury Road vent shaft site.

Robert Lockwood, SCS Air Quality Lead, said: “At SCS we want to make the transition to electric plant wherever possible in order to reduce emissions and noise.

“To keep the momentum going, we’re already looking to procure our second electric crawler crane for delivery in March 2022.”

HS2 has set a target to be net zero carbon from 2035, with a goal of achieving diesel-free construction sites by 2029.

The decision to switch to electric crawlers follows a trial at HS2’s Curzon Street Station site in Birmingham last year.

Charging up for the day, the Liebherr LR1250E 250-tonne lattice jib crawler crane

Business Unit Leader Alex Warrington from Select Plant Hire said: “At Select we recognise the environmental impact of every action that we undertake, which is why in addition to the investment in our electric cranes we have also invested in a range of electric concrete pumps, MEWPs, new technology tower cranes and hoists.

“This  will allow our clients to demonstrate the value of sustainability, achieve energy consumption and zero carbon targets on their projects.”