New zero emissions mixer truck thing of electric dreams

Aggregate Industries has expanded its vehicle fleet after welcoming another electric ready-mix concrete truck (e-mixer) as part of its continued journey to net zero.

The company launched the latest e-mixer at its Coleshill ready-mix plant in Birmingham where it will serve the West Midlands and help supply the ongoing HS2 operations at both Coleshill and Kingsbury Road.

Putzmeister, one of the leading manufacturers of concrete equipment, offers the fully e-mixer under the brand name iONTRON. The electrically-powered truck, fitted with a 350kWh battery, is provided by the parent company SANY. This co-operation ensures zero emissions and significantly reduced noise during transport and on site. The iONTRON e-mixer holds a drum capacity of 9m³ and provides up to eight hours running time in urban areas.

Electric vehicle fleet and battery storage specialist Zenobē provided the charging infrastructure for the e-mixer with a 120kw/h charger sited at the Coleshill base. Zenobē also integrated the electric vehicle charging software to monitor the charging profile of the e-mixer and provide valuable insight into the operational performance of the batteries on the vehicle. This data will be used to develop and roll out Aggregate Industries’ long-term strategy to electrify its heavy fleet.

It is the second e-mixer Aggregate Industries has in its fleet after the first was introduced in London in May - the very first to operate in the capital. 

Gary Brennand, managing director of Aggregate Industries’ readymix division, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our latest electric mixer truck in partnership with Putzmeister and Sany.

“Our mission is to be the UK leader in innovative and sustainable building materials and to decarbonise the construction industry.

“Electrification of our fleet, machinery and plant is a vital component of that and of helping us achieve our net zero ambitions. This is our second electric mixer truck and it will be operating across the West Midlands and serving the construction of HS2 in the region with our low carbon products.

“Traditional mixer trucks use diesel fuel so to be able to have vehicles with zero emissions on the roads is a hugely positive step change in our operations.

“We are at the start of our journey but this will gather pace as the technology continues to evolve along with the infrastructure.”

Kevin Eichele, head of business development SANY eTrucks, commented: “In urban areas electric trucks are a real alternative. Drivers will particularly like the power delivery and the low noise level. We are very excited to start this revolutionising journey together with Aggregate Industries.”

Steven Meersman, co-founder director of Zenobē, said: “This demonstrates that with cross-industry collaboration, solutions to heavy-duty fleet electrification are readily available. We’re excited to bring our charging infrastructure and data expertise and proven track record in facilitating the electrification of large-scale electric bus fleets to enable the integration of a second e-mixer into Aggregate Industries’ electric fleet.”