A Bellshill contractor has invested more than £1 million in a fleet of low-emission excavators and vehicles.
Roadbridge UK has displayed its environmental credentials by purchasing three hybrid Komatsu diggers, said to ‘massively reduce’ the amount of fuel needed to operate them.
The firm has also taken delivery of ten hybrid-electric vehicles, with the intention to buy even more in the near future, as it aims to reduce its carbon footprint as part of its Driving Green Construction initiative.
Roadbridge UK director Cathal Doherty said the decision to buy two Komatsu HB365s and an HB215 is part of a drive to ensure the company’s plant operations are as environmentally-friendly as possible, as well as reducing noise pollution for its workforce and those living near construction sites.
“Komatsu’s hybrid system can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 40%,” Cathal explained. “We believe that’s a significant environmental benefit for a company like Roadbridge UK. Fuel reduction is absolutely key when it comes to helping the environment – and as a company it also helps our bottom line as it can easily account for up to 50% of operational costs of heavy-duty machinery we use in our work.
“Hybrid excavators also feature a unique 100% electric swing system; it means all the hydraulic power is freed up for the boom, arm and bucket movements. This provides a huge boost to the productivity of the vehicle.”
Roadbridge UK is also switching to electric cars, with six fully electric Hyundai Konas already on the road in Scotland. Smart EV chargers have been installed at the head office, while smart chargers have been installed into the homes of employees who drive the company electric vehicles, which are wifi enabled to allow drivers to charge at off-peak electricity rates.
