Electric construction equipment has made great strides in recent years, prompting many to ask whether electric power is the future for all construction machinery. While this question is deeply relevant to construction professionals planning for the future, it’s also far from simple to answer. Like most technologies, electric machinery for construction has both benefits and drawbacks. Here’s what construction professionals today need to know about the pros and cons of electric equipment and whether all machinery will someday be powered by electricity.
Benefits of Electric Construction Equipment
The most critical advantage of electric construction equipment is its ability to reduce maintenance and operating costs when compared to diesel machinery. Because they can be turned off and on readily, electric motors largely eliminate the costs associated with idling time. Electric motors are also close to maintenance-free, requiring only lubrication and cooling maintenance. Between these cost reductions on fuel and maintenance, electric machines offer construction firms significant lifetime savings.
Aside from being more cost-effective, electric machines also produce a better environment for operators and other workers. Engine noise and vibration in the cab contribute to operator fatigue, and both are reduced considerably by the use of electric motors. Electric motors are roughly half as loud as their diesel counterparts, creating a much quieter operating environment in the cab. Reduced worker fatigue and distraction may lead to higher productivity on the work site.
Less noise may also translate into the possibility of longer working days. In many municipalities, construction is only allowed at specific times due to noise concerns. With electric equipment, however, construction could take place earlier and later in the day with minimal disruption to nearby residents. The ability to work multiple shifts in the same day would allow firms to complete projects sooner and potentially take on more work.
Finally, switching to electric construction equipment may help companies stay ahead of regulatory changes. Gradual increases in regulation relating to air quality and emissions will likely drive construction firms toward greener alternatives to traditional diesel machines in the coming years. The current administration has outlined a goal of achieving net-zero emissions nationwide by 2050, a target that would require enormous changes in energy provision throughout the economy. Like other industries, the construction business will have to work within new emissions standards by finding solutions that reduce carbon output.
Drawbacks of Switching to Electric Machinery
For all of the benefits, there are still some drawbacks to electric construction equipment. The largest impediment to the electrification of construction machinery is a lack of sufficient infrastructure. Electric equipment requires significant electrical infrastructure to support charging. While this isn’t an issue in urban settings, work sites in rural areas rarely have the necessary power supplies. In this context, diesel is still a preferred solution due to the relative ease of transporting liquid fuels.
Recharging times also present an obstacle. Construction equipment powered by lithium-ion batteries requires significant time to recharge once the batteries have been depleted. The machines cannot be used during recharging, potentially leading to unwanted downtime. While firms can solve this problem by switching out batteries, the cost of extra batteries eats into the attractive savings offered by electric construction vehicles.
Recharging could also present problems in fleets made up of equipment from different manufacturers. Charging technologies are often proprietary, forcing construction firms that switch to electric equipment to maintain infrastructure for multiple charging standards. While far from insurmountable, this lack of charging compatibility does complicate the decision to switch to electric machinery.
Is Electricity the Future of Heavy Construction Equipment?
At the moment, all signs point to an increasingly electrified future for construction equipment. Caterpillar, Volvo, and Komatsu have already begun building fully electric construction machinery. The transition to electric equipment will likely begin in urban areas, where the benefits from noise reduction are most pronounced, and electrical infrastructure allows easy deployment of battery-powered machines.
For the foreseeable future, though, there will still likely be a place for diesel machinery in the construction industry. Rural work sites and other areas that lack electrical charging infrastructure can still benefit from liquid fuel sources. Barring radical changes in charging technology, fully electric machinery will not be viable for these sites anytime soon.
Hybrid construction equipment presents a reasonable middle ground. By combining electric motors with diesel engines, hybrid machines lower maintenance costs while still offering the flexibility of liquid fuel power. Hybrid technology also reduces emissions and increases overall efficiency, allowing it to satisfy tighter regulations.
Overall, construction professionals should expect a slow but steady trend toward electrification in the coming years. Project economics, regulatory changes, and improvements in charging infrastructure will gradually tilt the scales in favor of electric construction equipment. On sites where fully electric equipment is unsuitable, a mix of traditional diesel and hybrid machines will likely be used. While all construction equipment may convert to electric power at some point, that point is likely still many years in the future.