Eurovia Surfacing is the first UK contractor to use an electric asphalt paver during an overnight highway operation in Essex.

The firm trialled the use of the kit – called Dynapac SD25 80C – on the A128 Tilbury Road in Brentwood.

The trial, carried out with vehicle dealer SMT GB, evaluated the machine’s endurance, performance and compatibility with an established highway surfacing operation. The paver installed more than 240 tonnes of asphalt without requiring additional charging – the operation was completed with 57% battery capacity remaining.

Powered by a 294kWh battery, the SD25 80C e delivers up to 235kW through five electric motors. It can operate for up to 10 hours on a single charge and can lay more than 1,000 tonnes of asphalt during a shift.

Eurovia Surfacing managing director Paul Goosey said the trial was an important step in assessing electric plant compared to diesel as the firm evaluates its future fleet-investment decisions.

He said: “Our environmental roadmap sets out ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions, increase operational efficiency and accelerate the adoption of more sustainable technologies across our business.

“The findings from this trial will help shape our future investment strategy and provide valuable insight into how electric plant can work alongside warm-mix asphalt, higher recycled-content materials and other lower-carbon construction techniques.”