Tarmac embarks on an ambitious trial of an all-electric tipper truck in the West Midlands, signalling a significant shift towards sustainable transport solutions. The partnership involves the body builder Brit-Tipp and the electric vehicle manufacturer Tevva, which has recently faced financial difficulties.
- Tarmac’s trial of the electric tipper is a pioneering move in the UK’s transport sector, showcasing its commitment to a sustainable future.
- Brit-Tipp has made strides in expediting vehicle registration by securing type approval for their bodies on the Tevva chassis.
- Despite Tevva Motors’ financial woes, with administration proceedings underway, a potential acquisition deal is on the horizon.
- The eight-week trial period focuses on assessing the practical operation and range of the electric vehicle, supporting Tarmac’s emission reduction goals.
In a significant move to forward sustainable transport solutions, Tarmac has initiated a trial of an all-electric tipper truck in Walsall, West Midlands. This development is part of a collaboration with Brit-Tipp and Tevva, an electric vehicle manufacturer that entered administration on 7 June, having been unable to secure new funding. Despite these setbacks, Tevva’s administrators announced a potential sale to new investors, potentially ensuring the continuation of its operations.
Tarmac’s endeavour to incorporate alternatively fuelled heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) began in 2022, aligning with its broader objective of decarbonisation. As part of this trial, Brit-Tipp has successfully secured type approval for Tevva chassis, marking a significant achievement that facilitates the vehicle registration process, thereby expediting the deployment of such vehicles.
The 7.5-tonne electric tipper truck deployed by Tarmac is expected to deliver substantial environmental benefits, notably saving over 2.2 tonnes of CO₂ per month compared to its diesel counterpart, based on an 80-mile daily usage rate. This trial not only underscores Tarmac’s dedication to emission reduction but also highlights its role as an early adopter in the EV100 initiative, targeting a full transition to a zero-emission fleet by 2030.
The vehicle’s trial over an eight-week period will allow Tarmac to critically assess its performance under operational conditions, including its range when loaded. This practical approach is aimed at maximising the benefits of electric vehicle technology going forward. Jonathan Medforth, Tarmac’s national plant & transport manager, emphasised the importance of the project as a milestone towards sustainability goals, reflecting on past challenges with earlier EV tippers and the promise of current technological advancements.
Meanwhile, Tevva Motors faces an uncertain future. The appointment of Lee Manning, Cameron Gunn, and Ben Woodthorpe of ReSolve Advisory as joint administrators came after the company hit financial turbulence. However, discussions are in progress with a potential buyer, suggesting a deal might soon be in place. The administrators have expressed a commitment to maintaining operational normalcy during this transitional phase, aiming for the best outcome for all stakeholders.
Tarmac’s trial represents a strategic step toward sustainable transportation, amidst Tevva’s potential business recovery.
