Rosgal Advances Sustainable Fleet Strategy With New Renault Trucks Hotbox
Rosgal, a respected civil engineering and groundworks specialist based in Greater Manchester, has continued to modernise its heavy goods vehicle fleet with the addition of a Renault Trucks C380 P6x2 rigid fitted with a Marvtech hotbox tipper body. The investment reflects Rosgal’s long-term aim to improve operational efficiency while supporting both its own and its customers’ sustainability priorities.
Rosgal works extensively across the North West, providing services ranging from bus stop and cycle lane enhancements to full highways maintenance and traffic management solutions. The company’s growing list of local authority clients includes the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester, supplemented by private sector construction contractors and utilities.
The new C380 will be deployed for a wide mix of local civils work, including junction upgrades, emergency maintenance, resurfacing projects, pothole repairs and 24/7 traffic light interventions. It replaces an older 18-plate truck, maintaining Rosgal’s practice of renewing its fleet every three to four years to reduce emissions, strengthen safety performance and optimise uptime.
According to Tom Sweeney, Director of Rosgal, the Renault platform has proven invaluable for the company’s work: “This is the third Renault Trucks vehicle to join the Rosgal fleet and we have been so impressed by the previous Renault Trucks hotbox, it’s literally the best truck we’ve ever had. It’s powerful, comfortable, and all our drivers love to drive it, so it was an easy decision to choose the C380 Renault for our fleet replacement.”
Vehicle Performance, Power and Fuel Efficiency
Supplied by Renault Trucks distribution partner JDS Truck & Van, the 26-tonne C380 is powered by an 11-litre Euro VI Step E diesel engine producing 380hp and 1,800Nm of torque. This configuration is widely recognised across the industry for delivering strong low-speed pulling power, smooth operation and consistent fuel performance.
The C380 incorporates Renault Trucks’ Optidriver automated 12-speed gearbox and integrated Eco and Power modes. These systems help maximise fuel efficiency, particularly in stop-start urban and semi-urban environments where civil engineering fleets spend much of their time. In addition to reducing fuel burn, the automation supports safer driving, smoother handling and reduced operator fatigue.
Beyond its powertrain capabilities, the vehicle features Renault Trucks Optifleet telematics. The system includes a two-year subscription providing detailed, data-driven reporting on driver behaviour, vehicle operation and fuel consumption metrics. Optifleet allows Rosgal to monitor performance fleetwide and take action where required to reduce emissions, enhance productivity and increase fuel economy.
Safety, Ergonomics and Driver Experience
Safety remains a core feature of the Renault Trucks C Range and a priority for Rosgal, particularly given the company’s extensive work alongside live traffic and urban environments. The C380 includes:
- Optibrake retarder for heavy-load braking and downhill control
- Lane departure warning technology
- Forward collision warning supported by advanced emergency braking
- Electronic stability control for added traction and rollover mitigation
To further improve working conditions, the truck is equipped with a spacious day cab, climate control, a digital 12-inch HD display and enhanced visibility for night-time and poor-weather operations. Civil engineering work routinely demands long shifts, irregular hours and quick deployments for emergency call-outs, so reliable comfort and driver-focused ergonomics remain an important consideration.
Hotbox Technology for Civil Engineering Efficiency
One of the most significant additions is the Marvtech hotbox tipper body, designed to maintain asphalt temperature for pothole patching, carriageway reinstatement and small-scale resurfacing programmes. Conventional asphalt loses its working temperature quickly, especially in colder climates or during night-time shifts, reducing productivity and increasing waste.
Tom Sweeney emphasised the importance of this technology to Rosgal’s operations: “Marvtech use smart burner technology which is the most efficient gas heating system available. It keeps the asphalt at the right temperature, day and night, which is essential in our line of work.”
The hotbox body also incorporates multiple safety-led innovations, including tool gantries and a lift system designed for secure gas bottle handling. These features minimise manual lifting risks for the crew, improve on-site productivity and extend equipment longevity.
Smart burner heating continues to gain traction across the UK’s civil engineering sector due to its ability to reduce the frequency of asphalt spoil, improve reinstatement quality, and enable faster job completion without additional material transport.
Carbon Reduction Commitment and Sustainability Strategy
Rosgal’s investment supports the company’s ambitious sustainability roadmap, aligned with a Carbon Reduction Policy that commits Rosgal to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The target arrives twenty years ahead of the UK government’s current national net-zero objective.
Lower-emission Euro VI engine technology, the reduced fuel burn afforded by automated transmission, and the precise fleet data generated by Optifleet all support Rosgal’s decarbonisation plans. When paired with scheduled fleet renewal, improved vehicle uptime and reduced material spoilage from smart hotbox technology, the company is positioned to cut emissions across multiple operational points.
The sustainability philosophy extends beyond engineering. Rosgal has adopted broader ESG practices across procurement, site waste reduction, safety, and employee development. Local authorities and tier-one contractors are increasingly prioritising carbon reporting and decarbonisation in civil works contracts, making Rosgal’s early transition highly advantageous for future procurement frameworks.
Strategic Partnership With JDS Truck & Van
Rosgal benefits from a close working relationship with Renault Trucks partner JDS Truck & Van, which continues to supply vehicles and technical support. The company notes strong aftersales service and a collaborative approach.
Sweeney commented: “The service from JDS has been excellent throughout. It’s personal, responsive and reliable, you can pick up the phone to Richard Davies at JDS and everything gets sorted quickly. The whole team is very efficient, nothing is too much trouble, and their Salford site is right on our doorstep. The Marvtech team are equally impressive.”
Richard Davies, Director of JDS Truck & Van, highlighted Rosgal’s commitment to innovation and sustainability: “Rosgal are a pleasure to do business with. Their commitment to sustainability aligns closely with our own values, and this latest Renault Trucks C380 hotbox will help them deliver essential works across Greater Manchester more efficiently, more safely, and with lower emissions. We are proud to continue supporting Rosgal with vehicles and aftersales service that meet their high standards.”
Modern Fleet Renewal and Low-Carbon Civil Engineering
Fleet modernisation continues to play a central role in the decarbonisation of civil engineering and utilities. Across the UK, highway maintenance authorities are shifting procurement conditions to favour Euro VI, HVO-fuel compatible and increasingly low-carbon or electric vehicle technologies.
While diesel remains dominant for heavier tippers and reinstatement hotboxes due to payload and power requirements, manufacturers such as Renault Trucks are accelerating development of electrified platforms ranging from light commercials to 44-tonne heavy goods applications. Electric asphalt hotboxes are beginning to enter specialist markets, particularly for urban reinstatement teams.
Sustainability is shaping technical design trends in the civil engineering sector, including:
- Smarter burner technology for asphalt temperature control
- Advanced telematics systems for driver efficiency monitoring
- Automated braking and stability systems for urban safety
- Predictive maintenance software to reduce downtime and emissions
Rosgal’s Civil Engineering Expertise
Founded in 1999, Rosgal Limited has established itself as a trusted partner delivering a wide range of infrastructure works across Greater Manchester and the wider North West.
The company provides end-to-end services from project concept through to reinstatement and completion, operating across highways, utilities, public realm improvements and emergency infrastructure upgrades.
Rosgal is recognised for high safety standards, operational reliability and fast emergency response capability. Its in-house traffic management teams, reinstatement specialists and groundworkers enable complete service delivery without heavy subcontract reliance.
Renault Trucks and the Future of Sustainable Transport
Renault Trucks has been supplying transport solutions to professional operators since 1894, from electric cargo bikes and light commercial vans through to heavy articulated tractors. The company remains at the forefront of energy transition and offers fuel-efficient products, a growing portfolio of 100 percent electric vehicles and a circular economy-led remanufacturing approach that extends vehicle life cycles.
Renault Trucks is a member of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s largest developers of trucks, buses, marine engines, construction machinery and associated finance and service solutions. The group is also investing heavily in electrification, hydrogen fuel cell technologies, digital fleet services and advanced driver safety systems.
Delivering Cleaner, Safer and More Efficient Civil Engineering
Rosgal’s investment in a modernised Renault Trucks C380 hotbox demonstrates a clear shift toward cleaner operations, enhanced fuel reporting and productivity-focused civil engineering delivery. With the company already targeting carbon neutrality by 2030, supported by close supplier partnerships and steady fleet renewal, Rosgal is well placed to support local authorities and contractors with more efficient highway reinstatement and rapid response maintenance.
As the UK’s civil engineering sector moves toward greener infrastructure, the alignment of advanced truck technologies, data-driven fleet management and sustainability-focused procurement will continue to influence competitive advantage, public sector frameworks and long-term operational standards.
