Essex Highways is trialling two new innovations – an electric mini-excavator and a battery-operated wacker plate which is used to compact the ground and aggregates into a solid sub base before laying a road or pavement top surface.

Both new machines are run purely on battery power meaning a reduction in both air and noise pollution produced on the county’s work sites.

This equipment has been trialled by Essex Highways work crews during which they were assessed for performance, particularly with regard for pavement works.

Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, and Simon Butt, Operations Director at Essex Highways, recently visited one of the trials taking place in Basildon.

Councillor Scott said: “At Essex Highways we are committed to harnessing innovation and new technology to deliver the most efficient and sustainable outcomes possible.

“Electric powered machinery will no doubt play a strong part in our industry moving forward, just as it will in other walks of life. The benefits are numerous and support our drive towards a safer, greener and healthier Essex.”

“As you know, safety is at the heart of all we do, and these innovations definitely fit the bill as they both produce zero emissions at the point of use.

“They are also extremely quiet, leading to a reduction in noise pollution in urban areas and during ‘out-of-hours’ works which helps to keep our residents happy.

“The lack of noise also helps to make communication much easier for our colleagues on site and means that essential information can be conveyed more quickly between operatives.”

After an evening of charging, both machines are ready for a full day of use the next day.