MARKET TRENDS: ELECTRIFICATION
While not yet mainstream, battery-electric compact machines prove they are here to stay in the construction industry. By Curt Bennink
O
ver the past several years, manufacturers have teased battery electric compact machine prototypes at industry shows. But until very recently, the availability of actual production machines was very limited. That is changing, and these machines can offer advantages in specific applications. “We believe market acceptance is already there now for those specific uses where diesel’s emissions, noise and fuel storage requirements present health, noise and environmental risks,” said Joe Schinasi, Kovaco Electric. Such scenarios include interior construction, agriculture and livestock, tourism, resorts, etc. “In these applications, electric equipment is clearly advantageous. “That said, we believe it may take another five to 10 years for electric heavy equipment to overtake diesel as a percentage of sales, as there are some lingering dependencies that still need to be addressed,” he noted, such as battery technology, cost of batteries and charging infrastructure, etc. “As it did with electric passenger vehicles, governKATO sees demand ment incentives growing for its battery and regulations electric excavators among contractors who may help to experform work in enclosed pedite adoption environments and those of electric heavy who work on closely regulated sites, including equipment.” food and pharmaceuticals. But potential
Doosan Bobcat unveiled its all-electric T7X compact track load at the Consumer Electronic Show 2022.
customer concerns must be addressed. “For electric equipment to become the norm, machines need to be designed and proven to overcome the main concerns voiced by skeptical buyers around energy capacity, performance and price,” said Lars Arnold, Product Manager Electromobility, Volvo Construction Equipment. Volvo’s initial efforts to gain customer acceptance are focused on battery-powered compact wheel loaders and excavators. “The current battery options work best on smaller machines for now,” said Arnold. “For larger machines, it can be a mix of solutions like energy recuperation, fuel cells, cable electric and alternative fuels. “In five to 10 years, all new Volvo compact excavator and wheel loader models will likely be electric,” he predicted. “Electrifying larger machines remains a challenge, but it’s one we’re actively seeking solutions to. Full-sized models will likely be a mix of diesel, hybrid and electric by the end of this decade.”
KATO COMPAC T EQUIPMENT SALES
30
OEM Off-Highway | MARCH/APRIL 2022
A holistic approach A holistic approach is necessary when comparing electric machines to their diesel-powered equivalents. “Electric machines do have a higher purchase price than their diesel equivalents, but the total cost of ownership should be considered when evaluating them, including the fuel savings and extended component life of not having an engine, which reduces overall maintenance costs,” said Arnold. “The stateof-the-art lithium-ion batteries and electric motors are totally maintenance free. The lifetime of the battery-electric components should be equal to or better than that of the diesel engine on a conventional machine.” Battery technology continues to progress, as well. “The lithium-ion technology used in our batteries is far superior to the old lead-acid or nickel-cadmium technology we sometimes think of in electric vehicles,” said Arnold. “Volvo’s advanced batteries have no memory effect, and they experience less loss of power in cold temperatures.
DOOSAN BOBCAT
Compact BATTERY ELECTRIC Machines Gain Ground in Construction
