Following the launch of Speedy Hire’s new Velocity strategy announced earlier this month, the UK’s leading construction equipment hire and service provider has partnered with leading global mobile elevating work platform manufacturer Niftylift, to design, manufacture and bring to market the world’s first hydrogen-electric powered access platform. Through the three-year exclusive partnership, customers will be able to order the zero-emission technology exclusively through Speedy Hire, providing a ground-breaking solution for the construction and related sectors on the journey towards net zero. The zero carbon MEWP (mobile elevated work platform) is the first viable alternative to diesel-powered equipment available on the market, especially during the early stages on construction sites where electric infrastructure is virtually non-existent. The hydrogen-electric platform can typically be operated for up to five days on a single electric charge, with additional range available from the hydrogen fuel cell, emitting zero carbon into the atmosphere without compromising on reliability.  The launch is part of a £9m investment in sustainable powered access products, and the exclusive partnership provides an insight into Speedy Hire’s Velocity business strategy, where the company has pledged to continuously innovate and collaborate with the value chain to deliver sustainable specialist products and solutions for customers to meet their carbon reduction targets, whilst also being commercially sustainable. Manufactured in Milton Keynes at Niftylift’s facility, with technical support from Speedy Hire, the world’s first hydrogen-electric powered access platforms will roll off the production line at Niftylift and be delivered to Speedy Hire’s Innovation Centre in Milton Keynes during July. Dan Evans, Chief Executive at Speedy Hire, said: “We have a strong history of leading the market in combining product innovation and sustainability, and our collaboration with NiftyLift is yet another example of that. Our sustainable growth strategy, Velocity, sets out a clear direction for the business to deliver long term benefits to our customers, our people and our investors and this is a strong example of Velocity in action.” “Our investment and collaboration with Niftylift enable us to accelerate the sustainable and technological evolution in the sectors where we operate, and supports our ambitious plan to become a net zero business by 2040, ten years ahead of the government target, whilst also enduring commercial sustainability against traditional alternatives for our customers.” Andrew Briggs, Powered Access Managing Director at Speedy Hire, said: “This is an exciting new addition to our specialist products and services offering. The phenomenal single charging capability of the Niftylift hydrogen-electric powered access platform is the powered access equivalent of launching a new vehicle with a thousand-mile range, and that is before you add the additional capacity of the hydrogen fuel cell. This innovation will enable our customers to hire a game-changing and repeatable on-site solution, that helps them meet their operational net zero targets of the future.” John Keely, Managing Director at Niftylift: “Working with Speedy Hire on this latest product innovation has been an incredible experience. Speedy Hire’s vision, collaborative support, and willingness to commit to such an important project has helped us to solve a huge issue facing the powered access industry. With our new hydrogen-electric HR15E and HR17E, Speedy can provide its customers with a long-term net zero solution for on-site machine charging – a world-first and a massive step forward for the powered access industry.” Speedy Hire will be hosting product-led events to demonstrate the new hydrogen-electric access platform, to learn more contact: hydrogenelectric@speedypoweredaccess.com

National equipment hire and services provider Speedy has been selected to light up the perimeter of the COP26 climate summit with a sustainable lighting system that will save an estimated 6,200 litres of diesel and 16 tonnes of CO2e. Speedy’s National Support Centre located in Glasgow is providing a total of 400 linear lights which will run for two miles around the security perimeter of the venue. The bespoke solution developed by Speedy specifically for the event is made up of LED lighting towers and low energy beam control lighting heads. They are highly efficient, offering up to 200 lumens, or light energy, for each watt of power consumed. The lighting system, which will be in place for five weeks, will prevent noise pollution and fumes that would be produced if the lighting was powered by diesel. Speedy’s low carbon lighting system is also used on a number of other major infrastructure projects where sustainability is central including HS2 and national core renewal rail projects. “As such a historic and significant climate event, COP26 needed a supplier with the technology to deliver a low carbon solution to lighting, minimising the impact on the environment. COP26 will set out the gold standard for green events, so everything that goes into its infrastructure and management needs to be sustainable,” said Daryl Doherty, rail director at Speedy. “Speedy is a leading supplier of low and zero emission lighting, which is helping contractors in the events, construction and rail sectors to slash emissions. Being selected as the delivery partner to light up COP26 recognises our track record in delivering sustainable solutions across major UK projects, and offers us a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate how our innovative low carbon lighting technology can play an important role in delivering a carbon-zero project.” The contract win follows Speedy’s £6.3m investment in low-carbon lighting to help construction, infrastructure engineering and events contractors to reduce carbon emissions through electric-only operation. The business also recently partnered with Generac to develop and bring the industry’s first plug-in hybrid outdoor lighting tower, the Speedy V20 ECO Hybrid to the market. The Glasgow-based event is the most significant climate change conference since 2017, bringing together world leaders, government representatives, negotiators and businesses to tackle the climate crisis. COP26 will be a carbon-neutral conference, certified by the International Standard for Sustainable Events (ISO20121). It has a comprehensive Carbon Management Plan and will demonstrate leadership within the field of sustainable event management. For more information, visit: https://www.speedyservices.com/