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A lot still needs to be done to be able to deploy affordable zero-emission construction machines on a large scale in 2026. Heavy construction equipment is not yet for sale ‘ex works’, but the manufacturers who are represented through their importers within Emission-Free Network Infra (ENI) are working hard on the first small series. SMT (importer Volvo), Van der Spek (importer Hyundai) and H2Trac (producer of zero-emission tractor) have opened registration lists to limit the machine price, through joint orders. Interested parties – also outside ENI – can register to participate until December 18, 2021.

Need for zero-emission equipment

The nitrogen problem, the Clean Air Agreement and the Climate Goals all require emission-free machines. Small equipment is already available. But machines from 125 kW/20 tons receive little attention from international manufacturers due to the limited Dutch sales market. Of the approximately 55,000 heavy construction machines in the Netherlands, less than 100 are emission-free, or 0.2%.

Reducing costs through joint development

Various contractors are currently having construction machines electrified, by importers, converters or under their own management. The necessary high development costs will be borne by the first renewed machine. This makes this approach relatively expensive, without leading to serial solutions. But due to the joint approach, with the registration lists, the development costs are spread over small series. With more bidders, the costs per machine fall. As far as is known, this form of cooperation is unique in the Netherlands and accelerates the energy transition in the construction industry.

Volvo wheel loaders

SMT Netherlands B.V. as an importer and distributor of the Volvo CE and SENNEBOGEN brands, is closely involved in the objectives of their customers and ambition to work with zero-emission machines. As a leading and innovative supplier, SMT is keen to contribute to the development of zero-emission machines. The aim is that the machines can be used for a minimum of 8 hours a day, with good comfort and performance, and according to current safety and machine guidelines. In collaboration with ENI, SMT is now investigating the market interest for electric medium wheel loaders to capture and validate the market demand. Interest can be made known via [email protected]

Hyundai excavators

Van der Spek wants to be an active participant in the transition to non-fossil fuels and recognizes the need for this. That is why, together with GMB, the initiative has started to convert a Hyundai crawler excavator into an electric machine, precisely to show the factory the need for this and to encourage factories to participate in this process. The first machine, a Hyundai HX 260 ALE, is now running satisfactorily. Van der Spek opened registration lists for the Hyundai crawler excavator HX 260 ALE and the mobile crane HW 140 A, both machines are guaranteed to run for 8 hours on 1 full charge.

The battery packs are interchangeable. The machines are converted in collaboration with UMS. Watch a video of the Hyundai HX260AL Electric in action here. Interest can be made known via [email protected]

Electric tractor

H2Trac builds fully electrically powered tractors that can be supplied in terms of energy supply in both an emission-free hydrogen or battery variant. The EOX-175 is a tractor in the 175hp category. In addition to the normal functionality of a standard tractor, the EOX has a unique track width adjustment, very spacious cabin and fully electric powertrain. H2Trac has opened a registration list for the EOX-175, which can be supplied in the variants: full hydrogen or extended with a battery pack. The hydrogen version has a capacity of 15 – 30 kg of hydrogen respectively, which corresponds to a working time of 4-8 hours depending on the power required. The version with an extended battery pack of up to 250 kWh corresponds to a working time of 4-8 hours depending on the power required. Interest can be expressed by email to [email protected].

Registration

Interested parties, also outside ENI, can register to participate until December 18, 2021. Emissieloos Netwerk Infra (ENI) aims to make zero-emission construction equipment possible by 2026. ENI opts for a focus on heavy construction machinery and the associated energy supply. But ENI also recognizes the need to work towards less energy demand in construction in design, choice of materials and planning. Making construction machines emission-free is only one part of the energy transition.

Low-emission fuels and engines are not an alternative to working without emissions. At best, they are interim emergency solutions, at worst they cause the necessary energy transition in construction to be postponed. The electrification of construction machines alone halves the energy requirement for the same work.