• Evaluate fleet needs: Assess your current fleet and define electrification goals.
• Engage expert support: Financial partners such as Lombard could offer tailored consultancy to navigate the transition.
• Promote collaborative change: Partnerships with suppliers and academic institutions are crucial for driving sustainable innovation.
• Adopt new technologies: Embracing advancements in technology could reduce environmental impact.

UK-based Select Plant Hire, a part of the international engineering and construction company Laing O’Rourke, has made significant progress in its journey towards its science-based targets, which are at the heart of its sustainability strategy.

In the fiscal year 2024, Select Plant Hire enhanced its fleet of low-emission machinery and invested in renewable energy solutions. This effort is part of a broader commitment to fostering an inclusive and safe working environment while pushing the boundaries of sustainable plant hire.

Select Plant Hire's corporate targets include expanding their fleet of electric machinery and collaborating with suppliers who share their values. "We aim to be the driving force for transformation in how the sector approaches sustainability," David explains, emphasising the company's belief in the necessity of collaboration to achieve meaningful change.

Select Plant Hire's electrification journey is positioning the company as a pioneer within the construction industry. "Unlike some of our competitors, our tower crane fleet is all electrified, via mains or battery powered alternatives, significantly reducing the size of generator required," says David. This shift marks a significant move from traditional diesel reliance, which has historically resulted in high emissions within the construction sector.

The company has embraced cutting-edge technologies, through close collaboration with strategic suppliers such as  Dumarey and AMPD. This includes flywheel technology systems for energy storage and advanced battery solutions from Dumarey to enhance Select Plant Hire’s sustainable offering.  

AMPD supplies an energy storage system designed to operate efficiently with only a low amp power feed. This compact energy solution supports a wide range of on-site equipment, including tower cranes, hoists, and electric plant machinery.

David describes how the business has added seven electric crawler cranes to its fleet, which includes the UK’s first 250t electric crawler crane, purchased in 2021. “Since then, we have also acquired six smaller 160t crawler cranes, which are used on HS2 projects nationwide.

“HS2 has a strong initiative to achieve net-zero emissions, although this goal can be challenging due to the availability of plant and equipment on-site. Nevertheless, we are increasingly focusing on these sustainable options, which has encouraged other plant hire companies to invest similarly.”

Battery technology is advancing rapidly, transforming the landscape of equipment power solutions, David says. “There is a decreasing reliance on generators, and while we may not completely eliminate them, we anticipate a growing number of devices powered by batteries or other forms of electrification on-site.”

"We have updated our company car policy, increasing our fleet from around 750 to 2,000 vehicles, Initially, our fleet was mostly petrol, then we shifted to diesel due to emissions policies, and now we have about 65% electric vehicles (EVs) and 35% hybrids (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles),” David says.

“This change follows the reopening of our company car scheme after COVID-19, when many employees returned their keys due to remote work. As development has shifted from London to outer suburbs like Oxford, Cambridge, and Brighton, the demand for company cars and vans to transport employees is growing.

“Our fleet now features a range of fully electrified company cars, crawler cranes and tower cranes alongside excavators, telehandlers, static pumps, batteries, mewps and cherry pickers.

"We plan to utilise this more moving forward. We’ve always had a well-established relationship with Lombard Vehicle Solutions that allows open discussions around our fleet needs and solutions for our business.

“Our relationship has grown in strength, and the team is responsive and receptive.

“We have a four-year operating lease with an 80,000-mile allowance over the term, averaging 20,000 miles per year. An advantage is the pooling of mileage; for instance, if one vehicle exceeds its allowance by 20,000 miles and another is under by 20,000 miles, we remain within the total 80,000-mile limit across all pooled assets.

“This approach works well for us as we are incorporating a mix of PHEVs and EV, and we are confident Lombard Vehicle Solutions can provide a solution that meets our needs."

This partnership has facilitated the acquisition of electric vehicles, essential for meeting Select Plant Hire’s sustainability targets while ensuring operational efficiency.

Lombard Relationship Director, Az Dawoojee says: "Lombard offers more than just financial support; we provide insights and consultancy that help businesses like Select Plant Hire shape their sustainability strategy and transition to electric vehicles.

“We deliver a one-stop asset finance solution that meets the diverse needs of our customers, combining banking, asset finance, and contract hire into a seamless experience.

“Our flexible proposition is designed to support fleets of all sizes, showcasing our commitment to adding real value and driving growth ambitions for businesses, regardless of their scale."

As Select Plant Hire continues its electrification journey, the company remains focused on achieving long-term sustainability objectives. "We’re now moving towards science-based targets, which are becoming more prevalent in the conversation around sustainability," David says.

Jon Hanson, Head of Mobility & Lombard Vehicle Solutions at Lombard, says this forward-thinking mindset is essential in navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing industry landscape.

“Lombard Vehicle Solutions is fully equipped to guide businesses through their electrification journey across cars and LCVs, offering comprehensive consultancy and data-led insights that ensure a smooth transition to sustainable fleets."

By bringing together the strengths of Lombard, NatWest Group, and Ayvens, we deliver a one-stop asset finance solution that meets the diverse needs of our customers, combining banking, asset finance, and contract hire into a seamless experience.

Take advantage of the holistic asset finance solutions offered by Lombard, which could streamline financing and reduce the burden of managing multiple providers. Contact us today.

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