B&T Plant Hire orders eight electric SANY machines including four STH625E telehandlers

B&T Plant Hire has ordered eight battery-electric machines from SANY UK, comprising three SY19E mini excavators, one SY35E excavator and four STH625E telehandlers, the manufacturer announced on 12 October.

SANY UK said the telehandlers are meant to give hirers an alternative to diesel on projects with sustainability targets, noise restrictions or indoor working requirements.

Matt Fox, Asset Operations Manager at B&T Plant Hire, said: "As customer demand for low and zero-emission equipment continues to increase, investing in electric machinery is an important part of our long-term fleet strategy."

He said the machines would let the company "support a wider range of projects, particularly within urban environments and sites where noise and emissions are key considerations."

The order

Model	Type	Machines ordered
SY19E	Electric mini excavator	3
SY35E	Electric excavator	1
STH625E	Electric telehandler	4

SANY UK said the larger electric fleet should give B&T's customers more flexibility when tendering for work where emissions reduction and environmental performance are evaluation criteria.

Steve Speed, Sales Manager at SANY UK, said the order "highlights the growing demand for practical zero-emission equipment across the construction sector."

The machines

According to SANY UK's product pages, the SY19E runs on a cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate battery and gives up to six hours of work from a single charge, depending on application and temperature. It can be charged in 1.5 hours on DC fast charge, 2.5 hours on a 360v industrial supply or nine hours on 240v domestic power.

SANY UK puts the SY19E's noise at 66 dBA for the operator and 83 dBA outside the machine, and sells it with a five-year or 5,000-hour warranty as standard. The manufacturer positions it for indoor, out-of-hours, urban and emissions-sensitive work.

The SY35E has a peak motor output of 18 kW and a continuous output of 10 kW, SANY UK said. It also offers up to six hours of run time from one charge and carries the same five-year or 5,000-hour warranty. Charging takes one hour on DC, six hours on 360v industrial AC or nine hours on a 240v domestic supply.

The STH625E is a recent addition to SANY's line-up. Hire Association Europe carried SANY's launch of the machine as a fully electric six-metre model, at which Chris Jarvis, Telehandler Sales Manager of SANY UK, said it showed the company's commitment to real-world solutions for customers.

SANY UK's product page says the telehandler uses a cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate battery with three charging options, including AC fast charge, and gives a charge time of two hours on 370V AC or eight hours on 230V. The machine carries a three-year or 3,000-hour warranty as standard, with the battery covered for five years or 10,000 hours. SANY UK said it produces less noise, vibration and pollution than a conventional telehandler.

B&T Plant Hire

B&T Plant Hire says it has a team of 60 and runs more than 3,000 plant items, delivered by Euro 6, FORS-accredited transport. The eight SANY machines therefore represent a small share of a fleet the company says is 95% under manufacturer's warranty.

The company operates a Surrey depot at Amenity Way, off Garth Road, Morden, and a Kent depot at Dalefield Industrial Park, Gravesend. Companies House lists B & T Plant Hire Limited's registered office on Garth Road, Morden, under SIC code 43999, other specialised construction activities.

On its sustainability page, B&T says its whole fleet is Stage V compliant and that it aims to upgrade to the latest low-emission machines over the next 12 to 24 months, with alternative power options such as hybrid or electric plant to be explored over the next three to five years. It also offers HVO fuel, which it says cuts CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared with standard diesel.

The company says it commissioned more than 1,000 NVQs for operators in the past 12 months.