UK-based rental house Speedy Hire has collaborated with mobile elevated work platform manufacturer Niftylift to design and manufacture the world’s first hydrogen-electric powered access platform.
According to the partners, the zero-emissions, zero-carbon HR15E and HR17E mobile elevated work platforms offer the first alternative to diesel-powered equipment on early stage construction sites where electric infrastructure is “virtually non-existent.”
The lifts feature an electric battery that can be operated for up to five days on a single charge, with additional range available from the on-board hydrogen fuel cell.
The models are based on Niftylift’s existing diesel-powered HR15 and HR17. The HR15 offers 51 feet, 6 inches of working height with 31 feet of reach. The HR17 has the same reach with 56 feet, 6 inches of working height. Hybrid and electric versions of the model are also available from the manufacturer.
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At this time, the lifts will be supplied exclusively to Speedy Hire as part of a three-year, $11.4-million deal.
Andrew Briggs, powered access managing director at Speedy Hire, said: “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, added: “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.”
Manufactured at Niftylift’s facility in Milton Keynes, the first platform will be delivered to Speedy Hire’s Innovation Center later this month.
