InfraFleet’s plans to lower sustainability costs

8 November 2023

Here’s the challenge. Suppliers and hirers of sustainable equipment often report that some customers are keen to go green but say that the cost of the new technology is too high, even when savings from not using diesel are taken into account.

But one business that believes it can overcome such resistance is InfraFleet, which is sourcing bespoke, high-specification welfare cabins from AJC EasyCabin to hire out on a managed basis. 

InfraFleet was founded in 2022 and its MD Chris Medley, whose background is in private equity where he specialised in infrastructure investment, believes the business will reduce costs for customers by being able to finance the equipment over a longer period. 

The company, which also rents out electric van-mounted access platforms, has attracted some notable investors, including Octopus Group whose interests include Octopus Energy serving the commercial energy sector. 

“I saw a major misalignment of interests,” Chris told me. “Having a previous background of investing in rental companies, a big focus is increasing the profitability of your assets. There’s no getting round the fact that sustainable equipment [typically] costs twice as much and, as construction companies and contractors are very cost driven, and suppliers are returns driven, you end up in a stand-off between the two parties. 

“It looked like the only way in which that was to be broken was with government mandates banning the use of diesel equipment, but those bans are often more driven by short-term politics than necessarily the need to get this equipment replaced. 

“And when you look at some of the government-backed sustainable projects that are being built, whether its solar [infrastructure] or EV charging, they’re pretty much being built exclusively by diesel equipment.

“So I reached the conclusion that we needed to bring an investor into the space which not only had long-term infrastructure capital that could look at these assets over 20 years, but which could also look at putting a premium on it being sustainable, green equipment and the importance of that to society.” 

InfraFleet has chosen welfare cabins as its next focus, believing that many sites who tend to seek bespoke, customised setups would welcome a high-specification solution. Also, the energy density required is considerably less than is needed for heavier plant and machinery.

“It’s not just sustainability, it’s also creating a better user experience,” said Chris. 

For InfraFleet, AJC EasyCabin has developed the e-Smart 22, a 22.9ft welfare unit accommodating up to 16 people that uses 100 per cent solar, wind and battery power with no diesel generator or heaters. It is claimed to have twice the solar, battery and effluent capacity of some alternative units. 

Other features include low-energy LED lights, combined air conditioning and heating, CCTV, secure tool charge lockers, a drying room with a dehumidifier, an office and separate male and female WCs. 

However, perhaps the most striking characteristic is the incorporation of AJC’s recently developed rack-mounted battery system. The e-Smart 22 has four internal 200Ah batteries and these can be swapped out quickly. Their performance on site will be monitored via telemetry and if they need replacing, InfraFleet’s service partners will replace them as part of the regular wastewater servicing visit. 

The original batteries can then be recharged on or off site for eventual reuse. The system can also be connected to an AJC Battery Pod battery energy storage unit. 

In addition, the unit has a circadian lighting system designed to mimic the natural changes in illumination throughout the day, which is said to support the body’s internal cycle for better well-being. 

Chris said that InfraFleet’s initial focus will be on serving customers in the south of England extending up to Birmingham. 

“Early feedback has been phenomenal. We took an initial prototype unit on trials and it just stayed on site. Users felt really valued. If you can provide a space that workers really want to be inside, they feel appreciated for doing what is a pretty tough job.” 

InfraFleet’s e-Smart 22 is having a soft launch now, with the main rollout planned early next year. 

Smaller welfare units may also be added in the future and InfraFleet could also introduce sustainably powered plant such as diggers, dumper and telehandlers.