UK-first trial uses mobile charging for zero-emission construction vehicles in London

Transport for London (TfL) is working with the construction industry on a new trial of zero-emission construction vehicles, using mobile charging technology for the first time in the UK.

The six-week trial is being carried out in partnership with FM Conway (FMC), Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), SMT, and British startup Charge Fairy. The trial is taking place at three locations in Redcliffe Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The project involves replacing diesel-powered construction equipment with electric alternatives, marking a first for TfL. The electric construction vehicles can be recharged in as little as one hour using a mobile charging solution provided by Charge Fairy. The system provides real-time updates on battery levels and dispatches a charging van to the site when needed.

The works at Redcliffe Gardens aim to improve pedestrian safety by creating raised sections of the road to slow traffic and make crossings safer. The project, which runs for 11 weeks in total, will also extend pavements to improve bus stop accessibility.

Diesel construction excavators are responsible for emissions equivalent to more than 100,000 passenger cars. If replaced with zero-emission alternatives, they could play a role in reducing pollution in the capital. Early data from the trial showed that in two weeks, the electric excavator saved more than 100kg of CO2, equivalent to driving a car 600 kilometres. The switch to electric machinery also eliminates pollutants such as NOx, particulate matter, non-methane hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.

TfL says the trial demonstrates its commitment to the Mayor of London’s target for the city to be net zero carbon by 2030. The project also focuses on reducing environmental impact by recycling concrete waste and reusing materials for future TfL projects.

Carl Eddleston, TfL’s Director of Network Management and Resilience, said: “The health of everybody in London is central to our work, and we are determined to meet our 2030 net zero targets. That’s why I’m so pleased that we’re continuing to take these important steps to reduce emissions and protect air quality.

“The trial of electric construction vehicles at Redcliffe Gardens is such a vital part of achieving our goals, and our work with FM Conway, Volvo CE, and Charge Fairy shows how construction across our transport network can be environmentally conscious.

“We are going to review the trial results and carry on exploring the best ways to decarbonise our network construction chain.”

Mats Bredborg, Electrification Leader for Volvo Construction Equipment, said: “Many Londoners may not realise that the smaller diesel construction machines they pass by every day are entirely exempt from emissions controls. This means they emit disproportionately high levels of harmful pollutants like NOx and particulate matter, contributing to poor air quality and posing serious public health risks.

“That’s why initiatives like this are so important—bringing the industry together to deliver a fully operational, electric, zero-tailpipe-emission solution that helps create cleaner, healthier streets for London.”

Matt Tallon, Sustainability Director at FM Conway, said: “FM Conway is always looking for ways to support Transport for London in reaching their net zero ambitions, and a strong supply chain filled with companies willing to innovate has been key in the delivery of this trial.

“This bespoke charging solution removes many of the barriers we have faced in the use of electric plant machinery, and we’ve seen from the works on Redcliffe Gardens that it represents a viable option for similar sites in future.”

Ed Lea, Founder of Charge Fairy, said: “As pioneers in mobile charging as a service, we’re excited to bring Charge Fairy technology to the construction industry. We’ve long advocated that bringing energy to electric vehicles can make more sense than taking the vehicle to a charger—nowhere is this more true than with construction equipment.

“Our work at Redcliffe Gardens with TfL, Conway, and Volvo CE has demonstrated how intelligent energy delivery enables electric plant to operate for a full workday, overcoming one of the key challenges of construction electrification.”