The Director of a London-based firm whose sustainable flat-pack buildings were first seen on Channel 4 ’ s Grand Designs is now visiting customers and transporting materials in a zero-emission Mercedes-Benz van supplied by Dealer Rossetts Commercials . U-Build employs a modular timber construction system that is , according to Nick Newman : “ Reusable , environmentally responsible and incredibly cost-efficient , with no sacrifices in terms of quality .”

The concept was developed and the business established in 2020 by award-winning architects Studio Bark . U-Build ’ s precision-cut components are quickly and easily slotted together , like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle – given the company ’ s eco-friendly ethos , the eSprinter is an equally perfect fit .

U-Build purchased its new eSprinter from the Aldershot branch of Rossetts Commercials , which represents the Mercedes-Benz Vans brand in North Hampshire , Surrey and Sussex . The vehicle is powered by a 114 hp electric motor that drives the front wheels , and the 55 kWh high-voltage battery pack is securely mounted beneath the body , so does not impinge on cargo carrying space .

Indeed , the load volume offered by the L2 ( medium length ), H2 ( high roof ) eSprinter ’ s is key to its appeal . The vehicle offers a cargo area of 11m3 , which is identical to its diesel-engined , front-wheel drive stablemate , and half a cubic metre more than its rear-wheel drive equivalent .

Crucially for a new-start business such as U-Build , not only does the eSprinter make environmental sense but it adds up from a financial perspective too . Acquired with the assistance of an £ 8,000 grant from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles ( OZEV ), the new van is proving significantly cheaper to run than its predecessor , thanks to the lower cost of electricity relative to diesel .

The fact that it produces zero tailpipe emissions means the eSprinter is exempt from the London Congestion Charge of £ 11.50 per day , while U-Build has also ‘ future-proofed ’ itself against further tightening of the rules relating to the capital ’ s Ultra Low Emission Zone .

The eSprinter ’ s four parallel batteries can be restored from 10 % to 80 % of maximum capacity in a couple of hours , using the 20kW DC fast-charging system supplied as standard . However , U-Build chose the optionally available 80 kW alternative , which does the same job in just 30 minutes .

Nick Newman is currently the van ’ s sole driver and uses publicly available facilities for recharging . Once Coronavirus restrictions have been lifted , however , the eSprinter will become a pool vehicle so available to colleagues as well , and U-Build will install a 7.4 kW ( AC ) wall box charger at its base in Hackney Wick , east London .

The eSprinter will travel 95 miles ( combined WLTP with 80 km / h speed limiter ) on a single charge , which is ample for the majority of urban delivery and

last mile applications . It also relies on recuperative energy recovered when decelerating to supplement the batteries ’ output .

While the van is hooked up and fast-charging , Nick often uses the cab as an office from which to work on his laptop , send emails and make calls .

The spacious cabin is fitted and finished to typically exemplary Mercedes-Benz standards , with high-quality materials and plenty of storage . The eSprinter also shares the same multi-award-winning safety specification – including Active Brake ASSIST , ADAP- TIVE ESP ®, ATTENTION ASSIST and Crosswind ASSIST – as diesel versions . Double locks and an integrated connected Thatcham approved alarm system provide security .

He continued : “ Our old van was a diesel and would have failed its MOT anyway . We knew it had

to be replaced , and given our commitment to sustainability , and the fact that we spend so much of our time working in and around London , an electric van was the obvious choice . We know it ’ s not a step that everyone can take yet , but we wanted to vote with our feet and switch to electric in the hope that we might bring others along too .”

U-Build aims to transform the way people think about buildings . It simplifies the process of creating anything from a house or garden studio , to one of the ‘ micro homes ’ installed within old industrial buildings . The company also produces affordable workspace units and even furniture .

Crucial to the success of the U-Build concept is its use of CNC ( computer numerical control ) cutting technology . Not only does this ensure a high degree of accuracy , with tolerances of 0.1mm ,

but it also means that digital designs can be sent to customers anywhere in the world , with their own access to CNC equipment .

“ Our approach eliminates many of the difficulties associated with traditional construction , by harnessing the accuracy speed and repeatability of offsite manufacture ,” explained Nick . “ Modular buildings can be assembled and , if necessary , taken down again and reused elsewhere by people with limited skills and experience using simple hand tools . Our aim is to make construction more accessible to everyone .

“ It can be a lot of fun – as well as individuals and families , we work at the other end of the spectrum with businesses and charity groups , for which we ’ ve produced meeting pods , partitioning and the like .”

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