A fully electrically-driven asphalt spreading paver, reported to be the world’s first, has been commissioned by the Royal BAM Group’s Dutch civil engineering company, BAM Infra Nederland, from Wirtgen and New Electric.

The electric paver is designed to save more than 93 tonnes of CO₂ and 115kg of nitrogen oxide emissions when used on an annual basis, said a statement from BAM, announcing the commissioning of the machine, which is a conversion of an asphalt spreading machine into electric.

BAM Infra said that together with partners Wirtgen and New Electric, it has replaced the paver’s stage V internal combustion engine with an electric drive consisting of a fixed battery of 270 kWh and two smartly switched electric motors. With a second 270 KWh battery, the paver can immediately be moved to the next project after a long working day. This exchangeable battery is also suitable for use in other electric equipment.

According to BAM, the use of the electric asphalt paver saves about 150 litres of diesel per eight-hour working day. This equates to a reduction of more than 93t of CO₂ and 115kg of nitrogen oxide on an annual basis. The electric asphalt paver can be used for eight to 10 hours on fully charged batteries. In addition to the emission benefits, this electric asphalt paver makes considerably less noise than current machines, added BAM.

The Dutch company said it continually looks for opportunities for a positive environmental impact on and in the environment. In terms of equipment, it is doing this this by training employees in 'het Nieuwe Draaien' (an efficient way of working with construction and earth-moving machines), by investing in the electrical chain and by building the world's first electric roller in 2020. Ninety percent of BAM Infra Nederland's plant runs on stage V engines with HVO as fuel. BAM added that it aims to have the first completely emission-free asphalt set on the road by mid-2022.