Electra and WJ Group Launch the World’s First Fully Electric Thermoplastic Road Marking Vehicle

Electra Commercial Vehicles, the UK’s leading specialist in zero-emission vehicle technology, in partnership with highways industry leader WJ Group, has officially launched the world’s first fully electric thermoplastic road marking vehicle, an innovation that redefines sustainability in road infrastructure.

This ground-breaking vehicle eliminates reliance on diesel engines and gas-fired burners, which have long been standard for heating thermoplastic material used in road marking. Instead, it features an all-electric system capable of handling both propulsion and the thermal energy required for thermoplastic application, entirely powered by batteries.

Unlike other electric commercial vehicles, this project required the integration of a large-capacity battery system into a relatively compact chassis, which posed significant engineering challenges. The team at Electra worked closely with WJ Group to develop a configuration that could meet the high power demands of road marking operations without increasing the vehicle’s size or compromising performance.

“Designing a truck capable of delivering the thermal load required to heat road marking materials, without relying on gas, was a major technical challenge,” said Ben Smith, Managing Director at Electra. “We had to maximise energy storage and efficiency within the constraints of a compact vehicle, while still achieving the durability and uptime expected from commercial fleets.”

“The challenges this vehicle presented demonstrate Electra’s engineering flexibility and ability to adapt to highly specialised applications. It proves the strength of the Electra brand as a partner for innovation in zero-emission transport.”

WJ Group brought deep operational knowledge to the collaboration, leading efforts to adapt the industry’s workflows and equipment to suit an all-electric platform. The company reimagined how heat is generated, road markings are applied, and energy is managed, challenging decades of convention to align with modern sustainability goals.

“This isn’t just about electrifying a vehicle, it’s about changing how our industry thinks,” said Martin Webb, Group Innovation Director at WJ. “Heating thermoplastic has always meant burning gas or diesel. With this vehicle, we’ve removed that barrier. It’s an industry-first that proves we can achieve zero emissions without compromising service delivery.”

Key features of the electric road marking vehicle include:

• Fully electric drivetrain with zero tailpipe emissions
• High-capacity battery system to power both drive and thermoplastic heating
• Electrified application equipment, eliminating the use of gas
• Real-time operational and energy monitoring systems
• Reduced operational noise, ideal for urban and residential environments

The vehicle is scheduled to enter full operational service later this year and drive the industry toward zero-emission transport and sustainable infrastructure.

This innovation aligns with both Electra’s and WJ’s broader missions: to lead their respective sectors toward cleaner, smarter, and more future-ready operations, while helping the UK meet its decarbonisation targets.

About WJ Group
WJ Group is the UK’s leading provider of road marking and highway safety services. The company is committed to delivering safer roads through innovation, service excellence, and sustainability, continually investing in new technologies that reduce environmental impact and improve operational efficiency.