The roughly £500,000 investment, announced at the LGRIG Innovation Festival, is the next step in WJ Group’s plans to reduce its carbon emissions and reach net zero in scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2032. WJ Group’s customers will soon benefit from a one-of-a-kind vehicle capable of supporting a zero-emission installation method for its low carbon thermoplastic road marking products.

With the highways authorities looking for partners that support their goals of reducing carbon emissions, providing solutions that can achieve this is a vital part of WJ Group’s business.

The latest vehicle to join WJ Group’s fleet was designed by the internal vehicle & plant team and built in dedicated facilities at the company’s Elland and Newcastle-under-Lyme depots.

Several modifications were made to an Iveco chassis based on WJ’s existing knowledge to develop the new design. Working with electric vehicle modification experts, Electra Commercial Vehicles, the team were able to remove the existing internal combustion engine and modify the structure with lightweight aluminium to increase the range for the electric motor. 

To heat the thermoplastic materials to the correct temperature, WJ Group developed an electric heating system to replace the gas burner. The company has also developed electric applicator prams to keep the product at optimal temperatures during the installation process. The vehicle is currently in the final design phase with the final elements of the vehicle and equipment getting ready for its implementation on the road.

This latest innovation marks the next step in WJ Group’s journey towards reaching net zero by 2032. With its Science Based Targets being accepted earlier this year, decarbonising operations is a key priority to achieve climate neutrality.

Wayne Johnston, CEO at WJ Group, said: “By launching the world’s first fully electric thermoplastic road marking truck, we are offering a completely new and innovative solution to help our industry partners keep sustainability at the heart of their decisions. Combined with our thermoplastic road marking products using bio-based binders, councils can significantly reduce their emissions in line with their own net zero timelines.

“Our EV Truck is the first step towards a fully electric fleet – eliminating the need for fossil fuel powered equipment. I’m proud that we are leading the industry towards a cleaner, brighter tomorrow.”