KC3 delivers low Total Cost of Ownership on the road to net zero for operators of construction equipment and special vehicles.
We support & supply long-life equipment and upcycle & upgrade valuable mid-life assets.
Upcycling
The impact of manufacturing in the lifecycle of construction equipment is significant. By upcycling mid-life equipment into prime condition, you can save tonnes of embodied carbon that would have been used in manufacturing.
We have experience in upcycling machinery and bodybuilding for HGVs. From building electric powerpacks for alternative hydraulic systems on custom volumetric mixers, to piece-by-piece refurbishment of machinery repairing and replacing parts are required – including to military standards.
Net Zero Projects
The transition away from fossil fuels to electric vehicles has legislative and commercial pressure.
The UK government has committed the UK economy to a net zero target of 2050. For businesses, this is both a threat and an opportunity. There is a pressing need to adapt equipment to operate in low-emission zones in urban centers, such as London’s ULEZ. Euro 6 engines will not be viable in these areas – we can help you continue operating with the same equipment.
No single zero emission solution exists for the HGV sector. Fossil-fuel-driven HGVs account for 99.8% of HGVs in operation, despite a national commitment to sell no new fossil-fuel-driven HGVs by 2040.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
We are delivered a feasibility study funded by the Niche Vehicle Network, in collaboration with Mersey Fair Air, a manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cells. Part of the ‘Range Extension & Improved Efficiency’ competition, this project is investigated the application of hydrogen fuel cells as part of the powertrain for a volumetric mixer, with zero tailpipe emissions.
KC3 and Liverpool-based start-up, Mersey Fair Air, are advancing their collaborative project, funded by Innovate UK and supported by the Launchpad initiative from Liverpool City Region. Aiming to transform the heavy-duty vehicle industry with hydrogen fuel cell technology, the partnership focuses on powering truck-based construction equipment. Their venture will refurbish an electric vehicle to showcase the fuel cell’s capabilities, aiming to demonstrate its broader potential for machinery. This effort aligns with Liverpool City Region’s hydrogen investments and, if successful, will bolster the UK’s green initiatives by offering sustainable job opportunities, reducing pollution, and enhancing the North West’s economy.
Life Cycle Emissions of Volumetric Concrete Mixers
Work carried out with the Low Carbon Eco Innovatory compared the delivery of concrete with volumetric concrete mixers against delivery with ready mix trucks. The use of volumetric mixers was associated with substantially fewer miles driven and close to zero waste.
Compared to traditional drum mixers, volumetric concrete mixers are a more efficient method of producing and delivering concrete. Drum mixers have a limited window of approximately 2 hours to deliver and pour their loads, which can result in significant concrete waste due to traffic and other delays leading the concrete to go off before reaching the construction site. In contrast, volumetric concrete mixers carry individual containers of cement, aggregates, sand, and water, mixing them on-site to create and pour concrete on demand.
