Guide to Stage V Generators

What are Stage V Generators?

Stage V generators are designed to cut down on the emission of harmful pollutants, while still giving sites maximum performance.

Using a Stage V generator results in more sustainable energy generation, limiting carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter by-production.

Stage V compliant Generators are now a requirement for any non-road engines (those not intended for transporting goods or passengers on roads), such as mobile machinery and plant equipment.

Their attractiveness is particularly key for ultra-low emission zones (ULEZ), and inner-city areas, and they are crucial to providing energy-efficient temporary power.

Hire Power, Air, Pumps & Lighting from Speedy

Speedy x Eminox Retrofit

Speedy, the UK’s largest equipment rental provider, partnered with Eminox to provide Stage V emission-compliant power generation solutions.

These fully comply with NRMM legislation and are approved by the Energy Savings Trust.

Eminox is the global leader in the design and installation of bespoke retrofit Diesel Particulate and Selective Catalytic Reduction systems.

These solutions ensure your site and operations are fully compliant with the NRMM requirements within the ULEZ and LEZ boundaries.

The partnership enabled Speedy to become the first in the industry to retrofit Stage IIIa generators to Stage V emission-compliant standards.

Upgrading, rather than replacing, the generators enabled Speedy to cut tonnes of waste as Stage IIIa is phased out in the years to come.

What is Stage V?

Introduced by the EU, Stage V standards aim to reduce emitted particulate matter, among other substances. It is seen as the “world’s toughest emission standards”.

Stage V was adopted by the EU Parliament in July 2016 and was introduced in 2019 for all sales, to meet EU emissions standards.

The regulations apply to all Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) with spark/compression ignition engines.

Non-Road Mobile Machinery includes equipment such as generators, lighting towers, and pumps, which are temporary power solutions which are essential to a site.

It also applies to other Non-Road Engines such as construction equipment, inland waterway vessels, and off-road recreational vehicles.

NRMM, particularly from the construction sector, is a significant contributor to air pollution.

The design of Stage V generators is inspired by modern car engines and other road vehicles, e.g., using particulate filters.

It is an update to previous EU standards (Stage IIIa), requiring new NRMM to be fitted with diesel particulate filters and similar.

This will result in less air pollution, which is better for the environment and for those working on sites using generators and other NRMM.

What is the difference between Tier 4 Final and Stage 5?

Tier 4 final standards aimed to lower harmful emissions by between 85% and 90%, but Tier 5 is designed to reduce these emissions to zero.

How can Stage V Generators help my site?

Stage V Generators emit the lowest levels of pollution and particulate possible, so are significant in reducing emissions to meet climate targets, and also to improve the health of anyone working on site.

They also promote lower noise pollution and meet the regulations required for work in UK and EU cities. Many models have better fuel efficiency than seen before and can also work with HVO fuel, which is a form of renewable fuel produced from vegetable fats and oils.

In London, NRMM Low Emission Zones (NRMM LEZ) require that all engines with a power rating between 37 kW and 560 kW meet an emission standard based on the engine emission “stage”.

Sites within the NRMM LEZ are required to log all machinery online. From 1 January 2030, the standards will be stage V throughout London.

It is also key to mention that Stage V Generators aren’t just for site and construction use. They can be ideal for any temporary events requiring outdoor power solutions, such as festivals, food markets, and roadshows.