Tarmac plans eHGV fleet and DC charging network for construction logistics

Tarmac has announced plans to introduce a fleet of electric HGVs alongside a dedicated charging network to support the transport of cement, asphalt, aggregates and concrete blocks. Five eHGVs will enter operation in collaboration with Renault Trucks and DAF Trucks, serving construction and major infrastructure projects across London and the South East. The initiative is supported by the government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Development programme, which provides £200 million in funding through the Department for Transport and Innovate UK.

As part of the eFREIGHT 2030 consortium, Tarmac is working with cross-industry partners and charging specialist Voltempo to develop the network. The infrastructure will become operational in early 2026. The rollout builds on the company’s deployment of electric ready-mix concrete vehicles, which have been operating since 2022. The charging network incorporates Voltempo chargers at Tarmac’s Paddington concrete plant, Harper Lane asphalt plant, Linford blocks plant and the Northfleet HGV base in Kent, as well as a Fleete Group charging hub at the Port of Tilbury.

A 250 kW DC charger at the Paddington site will enable the eHGVs to charge during offloading. In Northfleet, a Voltempo HyperCharger Megawatt Charging System will provide up to 1 MW for a single truck or distribute the same capacity dynamically across six vehicles.

“These significant new additions to our electric fleet together with a London-wide charging network mean that we’re scaling electrification and helping customers cut carbon across construction logistics”, said Ben Garner, Director of Logistics at Tarmac. He added that the move enables multi-modal, low-carbon deliveries using rail for inbound materials and eHGVs for onward transport.

Voltempo founder Michael Boxwell said: “Tarmac’s commitment to decarbonising logistics is second to none. Their leadership and willingness to invest in electric HGVs and charging network infrastructure including Voltempo’s ultra-rapid HyperCharger MCS is exactly the kind of ambition we need to drive real change across the sector.”

Tarmac recently added Scotland’s first electric concrete mixer following a two-month trial, operating mainly across the Central Belt. Developed with Renault Trucks and TVS Interfleet, the vehicle forms part of a national programme to accelerate the transition to zero-emission heavy-duty transport.

The fully electric concrete mixer is likely the one based on Renault Trucks’ E-Tech C and was first unveiled at the Bauma trade fair in Germany in April. According to the manufacturer, the electric mixer can carry up to 10 m3 of concrete, which is allegedly more than any diesel equivalent “in most European countries.” The electric mixer has a range of up to 110 kilometres on one charge or up to 140 kilometres with a 45-minute intermediate charge.

Four additional electric mixers are already in operation in England. Tom Preston, Readymix Business Manager for Scotland at Tarmac, said the introduction supports “cleaner air, lower emissions and more sustainable deliveries across the Central Belt.” Dan Whiley, National Logistics Optimisation and Development Manager at Tarmac, said the deployment is “a significant milestone” in building a nationwide low-carbon fleet.

transportandenergy.com (charging network), tarmac.com (concrete mixer)