FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
In partnership with Urban Electric Networks, a British EV chargepoint operating company, Balfour Beatty Investments has entered into the on-street Electric Vehicle (EV) charging market with the formation of Urban Fox.
Balfour Beatty Investments expects to invest up to £60 million of capital in the partnership to fund the roll out of up to 35,000 charge points across the UK over the next decade.
Urban Fox supports Local Authorities to achieve the green targets as set out in the UK Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy ‘Taking Charge’ and offers a whole life solution to EV chargepoints: funding, building, operating and maintaining a range of fast, rapid and slow chargepoints across the counties in which they will be deployed.
Its innovative pop up 7kW on-street chargepoint is the first of its kind to the market. Installed into the pavement, the unit is fully retractable underground leaving pavements clutter free and accessible when not in use.
The launch of Urban Fox follows five years of rigorous product development and testing of the retractable charging unit across Oxford, Dundee and Plymouth City Councils, as well as Staffordshire County Council. The pilots indicated that Urban Fox’s unique retractable chargers can be installed in c. 80 per cent of streets.
Gavin Russell, CEO Balfour Beatty Investments added: “In order to achieve the Government’s 2050 Net Zero strategy, it’s imperative that alternative energy sources are widely available and accessible.
“Balfour Beatty’s close and long-standing relationships with Local Authorities across the length and breadth of the UK make us well able to tackle the challenge head on; putting our unrivalled capability in providing green infrastructure for communities and our innovative, collaborative spirit to good use.”
With the current economic crisis resulting in higher prices and more of a squeeze on resources, FMs need to ensure that they have robust building and maintenance services in place to control costs and reduce the need for emergency repairs. When it comes to drainage and plumbing there are also the challenges of dealing with extreme weather, from droughts to flooding, the need to meet stringent regulations and to avoid causing environmental damage.
UK drainage specialist, Metro Rod, has launched a survey which explores the main areas of interest for FMs in maintaining drainage and plumbing, including how they currently assess their supply chains to ensure they’re working with partners that meet the highest possible standards and provide value for money.
The results will be published online so that you can see how you compare to others within the sector.
The survey should take just 5-10 minutes of your time, and as a thank you, you will be entered into a prize draw, where one lucky winner will be picked at random to receive a £100 Amazon voucher.
To take part click here.
