02/12/2025
Roger Bullivant: First Use of a 100% Electric Piling Rig in the UK!
Roger Bullivant Limited (RBL) has reached a major milestone by trialling the first fully electric piling rig ever used in the United Kingdom.
The Junttan PMx2e, equipped with a 392 kWh high-voltage battery system, was deployed at the Ardrossan Community Campus construction site in North Ayrshire, Scotland.
A Major Innovation
The Junttan PMx2e operates with zero local CO₂ emissions and significantly reduced noise levels.
This marks the first time a fully battery-powered piling rig has been used in the UK.
Featuring interchangeable battery packs, the rig provides up to 8 hours of operation per charge and can deliver a full working day by optimizing the use of two batteries.
Delivered to site with a 40 kW portable charger, it minimizes the site’s power requirements.
Equipped with a 5-ton accelerated hammer, the PMx2e is capable of driving piles up to 20 metres in length.
Its powerful performance, compact footprint, and low noise output make it an ideal solution for sensitive environments such as schools and urban developments.
A Challenging and Exemplary Project
The new rig was tested on a Morgan Sindall Construction site, where RBL teams are installing 581 driven steel tubular piles to depths ranging from 9 to 16 metres.
The ground conditions — a former industrial site with aggressive made ground — required a robust and reliable solution.
Driven steel tubular piles were selected for their ability to penetrate hard strata and provide stable foundations for the structure.
This project will deliver a new educational complex in North Ayrshire.
Circular Economy and Carbon Reduction at the Core
Sustainability has been a guiding principle throughout the project.
RBL used repurposed steel tubes supplied by John Lawrie Tubulars, achieving a carbon saving of 1,622 tonnes of CO₂ across the site.
In addition, RBL utilized an electric forklift, supplied by Sunbelt Rentals, ensuring full alignment between site logistics and the project’s low-carbon objectives.
Congratulations to the RBL teams for this outstanding achievement, setting a new benchmark for sustainable innovation in the UK piling industry!
