Electric construction machinery helps drive
greener construction at One Horton Heath

We were pleased to welcome Earthmovers magazine to One Horton Heath recently, as journalist and photographer Nick Drew visited The Lower Acre to see one of the project’s construction contractors putting construction machinery to work.

The visit focused on Kieron Beattie Landscaping (KBL), a Hampshire-based contractor working at The Lower Acre, and its XCMG electric telehandler.

KBL has invested heavily in its plant fleet in recent years and works with a number of Tier One contractors. At One Horton Heath, the team is involved in the finishing works around the homes: preparing and shaping garden spaces, forming garden wall foundations, and supporting the creation of well-finished outdoor areas that complement the new homes.

Putting electric machinery to work

Sustainability is an important consideration across the One Horton Heath project, and we are proud to see contractors working on site investing in newer, lower-emission equipment.

KBL’s electric telehandler is being used at The Lower Acre to move materials, including pallets of kerbs, around the site. Unlike some electric construction equipment, which can still face challenges around range, working time and charging infrastructure, KBL has been impressed with how the telehandler performs in day-to-day use and moving from diesel to electric is helping to reduce running costs, alongside reducing emissions and noise.

The telehandler uses battery technology from BYD, the same company known for its electric vehicle technology.

Changing the way we build

Introducing electric plant is not just about the technology. It is also about changing the way people work and challenging some of the traditional expectations around construction equipment.

KBL’s dedicated telehandler operators, Steve and Max, have both embraced the machine and enjoy using it on site – a good example of how attitudes towards electric plant are changing as the technology develops.

It was great to welcome Earthmovers to The Lower Acre and showcase some of the work taking place behind the scenes as the development progresses.

The feature will appear in an upcoming issue of Earthmovers magazine.

Nick Drew capturing the electric telehandler in action at The Lower Acre, OHH.

Pictured left to right: Benji Grey (octo equipment) and Nick Drew (EarthMovers Magazine)