Speedy gains top EcoVadis rating

UK rental company Speedy Hire has been awarded a Platinum Medal for its sustainability initiatives by EcoVadis, the leading auditor of sustainability programmes.

The Platinum Medal is the highest rating awarded by EcoVadis and places the company in the top 1% of the 85,000 businesses worldwide that it ranks. Speedy was previously awarded the Gold medal, placing it in the top 5%.

An AFC Energy fuel cell genset in the colours of rental partner Speedy Hydogen Solutions, (Photo: AFC Energy)

Speedy has set targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the UK government deadline. Carbon emissions emitted by Speedy Hire in the UK and Ireland reduced by 21.4% in its 2024 financial year.

Speedy said this was achieved through the procurement of renewable energy, investment into a greener property network, a more efficient electric and hybrid vehicle fleet, and the use of HVO fuel in larger vehicles.

Examples of its procurement practices include its work with aerial platform manufacturer Niftylift to supply a fuel cell powered articulating boom, and its joint venture with AFC Energy to rent hydrogen fuel cell generators.

Dan Evans, chief executive at Speedy Hire, said: “At Speedy Hire, we place sustainability at the centre of everything that we do, and this prestigious EcoVadis Platinum Medal award is testament to our credentials as a sustainability leader.

“This award further demonstrates progress against our ambitious Velocity strategy, which focuses on driving innovation and providing the commercially sustainable solutions our customers require to achieve their net zero ambitions.”