Lifting solutions specialist, GGR Group, launched the Faresin 17m electric telehandler to the UK market at Vertikal Days, held at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, 10-11^th May 2023.

On display at Vertikal Days was the 17.45, the largest in the range and part of the Faresin ‘Big Range Full Electric’ series, which includes 14.42, 17.40 and 17.45 models, offering maximum lifting capacities of 4.2, 4.0 and 4.5 tonnes respectively.

Each built around the same chassis platform and featuring a 45kW/h (105Ah) battery, these electric machines offer run times of up to 8 hours non-intensive use and up to 3.5 hours intensive use. Further

innovation on the charging side, sees an onboard charger as standard, offering 0-80% charge in 4 hours and 0-100% charge in 6 hours. There is also a universal charging socket, identical to the type used on motor vehicles, which also features intelligent charging to ensure that the machines can be charged with whatever power source is available on site, including single or three-phase options.

GGR’s Marketing & Special Projects Director, Daniel Ezzatvar, said: “The work that has been done on the battery technology is best-in-class at the moment and the developments that have been made truly lend themselves to making the machines better suited to the practicalities of electric infrastructure on today’s construction sites.

“After being involved in this project from the beginning and seeing how the product has evolved in response to data and user feedback, it is safe to say that it has been a truly collaborative effort. Everyone has had their part to play Faresin as the manufacturer, GGR as the main importer and our trail-blazing customers, who initially took a leap of faith, but have now seen that the equipment is proven and reliable in the field.

“You only need to look at the fact that nine 17m machines were pre-ordered as soon as the product was announced. That was without even having the opportunity to demo the new machines. The 6.26 full electrics have proven themselves and the technology works.

The UK launch of the 17m full electric telehandler comes exactly a year after Faresin’s 330, 400 and 560ah batteries were launched at Vertikal Days 2022, with GGR naming the path dividing theirs and JCB’s stands ‘Electric Avenue’, a feature that was also included at this year’s event – a statement in support of electric, in the face of JCB’s hydrogen technology.

Ezzatvar added: “The launch of the 560ah was arguably the innovation of the show last year. To put things into perspective, our smallest 330ah battery is more of a direct comparison with what JCB is offering

in their electric telehandler. Ok it’ll do a job, but if you want to something that you could seriously consider replacing a diesel machine with, then you need to be looking at the 440ah at least, but certainly the 560ah will do the job.

“Unfortunately, it is well documented in the press that hydrogen is being considered as the only viable option for larger plant, leaving electric to be considered for small plant only. That might be the case within JCB’s range, but it’s certainly not the case when it comes to the rest of the industry.

“In telehandlers alone, Faresin have the big range full electrics, going up to 17m and another competitor, Manitou have launched an 18m roto. These products are viable and they work. In my opinion, manufacturers have an obligation to maximise the potential of the technology that is available before pushing for alternatives. Big electric is here and now, whereas hydrogen is a long way off before it can be considered a viable option. Even then, it should be used in applications where there is a constant and continuous demand for power.

“If you ask me which technology is going to win, battery or hydrogen, my answer is that there is a place for both. Each will have their place at the party. Of course battery will have limitations against hydrogen, they cater for different power demands, but to write-off battery as only being suitable for smaller equipment is nonsense. No amount of lobbying or ‘hydrogen-washing’ can hide the fact that there is a lot of innovation being done in relation to battery power and right now it is on the market, available and already making an impact to the sustainability of today’s construction sites.”