The UK’s first all-electric concrete mixer truck

In 2022, Tarmac placed an order with Renault Trucks for the UK’s first all-electric readymix concrete mixer truck as part of our commitment to net zero construction. The electric mixer, which came as a result of the Supplier Innovation Challenge in 2020, was delivered in November. It was immediately put to work at our Washwood Heath site in Birmingham supplying essential construction materials to customers across the West Midlands.

We are also working with Renault Trucks and TVS Interfleet (TVSI) to develop the next generation of mixers, with ambitions for their eventual widespread use across our urban operations. As Tarmac procures 100% of its site electricity from clean energy sources – wind, solar and hydro power only – the new vehicle will operate as a carbon neutral solution.

In addition to making the transition to zero tailpipe emissions, the EV mixer reduces noise and vibration, while contributing to improving air quality, particularly when operating in urban areas and low and zero emissions zones.

By utilising telematics information available for its fleet activity, the design team has been able to match the normal delivery profile of a truck to the indicative range of 120km and the power draw from the mixer drum in transit and discharge. The truck has the ability to fast charge within 1.5 – 2 hours if needed and has a 265kWh battery with a guarantee of up to 10 years operation.

Ben Garner Tarmac’s low carbon logistics lead, said: “This order marks the first practical step towards a whole fleet transition to electric mixers and demonstrates our commitment to lead by example as we continue to turn our net zero ambitions into actions.”

The 26 tonne Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide comes with enhanced safety features, including a lower centre of gravity, improving stability. The speed of the drum rotation is also computer-controlled to optimise energy consumption for loading, unloading and transit of different types of mix.

Andrew Scott, head of electric mobility at Renault Trucks, said: “We welcome Tarmac’s commitment to bring more fully electric vehicles into its operations, which reflects the company’s ambition to decarbonise its vehicle fleet and its confidence in Renault Trucks and TVS to bring innovative zero carbon emissions solutions into service.”

Tarmac operates one of the largest HGV fleets in the UK, and this order comes as part our wider strategy to decarbonise our vehicle network, following our commitment to upgrade our 2,000-strong fleet of corporate cars and vans to EVs by 2030.