AFI invests £2.6m in Niftylift hybrids

One of AFI’s newly delivered Niftylift HR28 boom lifts (Photo: AFI Group)

UK powered access specialist AFI Group has added over 50 hybrid boom lifts to its fleet, with a £2 million (US$2.61 million) equipment order placed with Niftylift.

The investment is part of the rental company’s drive to increase the availability of hybrid and electric aerial platforms, for which demand in the country is continuing to grow. 

Nick Higgins, CEO at AFI said, “This latest Niftylift investment will enable us to expand the capability of the entire MEWP hire fleet and offer a diverse and efficient range to meet demand, as more customers strive to meet sustainability objectives throughout supply chains.”

The self-propelled units, some of which have already been delivered, include Niftylift’s 28-metre HR28 4x4 and 17.2m HR17 4x4 hybrid platforms, along with the HR21 4x4, which offers a maximum working height of 20.8m.  

The order also includes a number of the manufacturer’s battery-powered electric HR12N aerial platforms.

Higgins said, “The hybrid cherry pickers are extremely popular with our customers. The low emissions make them ideal for use on restricted sites, in low emission zones, specialist applications and indoor work and will increase service levels and flexibility to our customers across the entire UK.”

According to AFI, the new access platforms will also enable its customers to carry out tasks on project sites that require low-noise emissions as well as zero-emission operation.