Claiming a first for the industry, a national construction equipment and services hire company is offering a zero-emission option to construction companies.

The Speedy hire business has added a new Electra 27t all-electric beavertail truck. The company, which is working to decarbonize its fleet, says the truck has the potential to save the business 59,541kg of CO2e annually when compared with a diesel, while also positively impacting supply chain emissions for customers.

The truck’s battery has a 220-km range (137 miles) following an eight-hour charge and will be used to support the first building phase of the HS2 high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham in the Midlands.

The truck is designed to transport powered access equipment, including scissor lifts, boom lifts, and mast booms. The truck is leased from commercial hire business ProHire. It forms part of Speedy’s strategy to transition to a fully low-carbon fleet by 2030, which now includes fueling delivery vehicles, HGVs, and tankers with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) at 21 of its biggest locations across the country.

Andy Briggs, managing director at Speedy Powered Access, said: “Transporting powered access equipment requires large delivery vehicles, which translates into significant fuel use. Cutting this is a key priority for us, and the introduction of a fully electric vehicle will pave the way for our business to significantly cut its carbon footprint across the UK, while supporting our clients to do the same.

“It marks a key milestone on our journey to deliver our sustainability targets as we continue to lead the hire sector towards a net-zero carbon future.”

Speedy is the UK’s leading provider of tools, equipment, and plant hire services and operates from 200 sites across the UK and Ireland.