Pushing a new power source to aggregate producers

Komatsu North America chairman and CEO Rod Schrader, seated at the far left during a ConExpo-Con/Agg press conference, says time will ultimately tell how electric equipment fares in various construction markets. Photo: P&Q Staff

While electric vehicles drove some conversations at ConExpo-Con/Agg, one equipment manufacturer says time will ultimately tell if electricity emerges as a winner in certain construction markets.

Rod Schrader, chairman and CEO of Komatsu North America, touched on the demand for electric equipment during a ConExpo-Con/Agg press conference. And while electric equipment is a solution in some markets, Schrader says electricity must prove its viability in others.

“Companies, governments [and] states have put mandates and targets in place,” Schrader says. “All manufacturers are investing in technology to decarbonize their vehicles. Electric is the first kind of start. I don’t think it’s the only, and it may not even be the winner. There may be other technologies that occur.”

Perhaps the biggest question left to be answered about electric equipment in certain applications is how it can best be charged.
“I think there’s some levels of hesitancy in terms of how are you going to charge it,” Schrader says.

While electric construction equipment isn’t ideal in rural or remote work areas, Schrader says there are applications that lend themselves to it nicely.

“Customers renting the machine for a day makes sense,” he says.

According to Schrader, electric currently has limited potential in larger-size applications.

“[When] you start getting into the 20-, 30-, 40-ton excavators in rural and remote areas, it becomes more challenging,” Schrader says. “I would say the challenge is not overcome yet. We’re working on that collectively with our customers, with state and local communities and entities to figure that out – and [with] third-party partners, as well.”

Ultimately, Schrader says time will tell how electric equipment fares in various construction markets.

“The next five to six years will be very interesting,” he says.

Another view

Says Terex Corp.’s John Garrison: “We think we’re very well positioned to benefit from mega trends, and right at the center is this concept called ‘sustainability.’” Photo: P&Q Staff

Terex Corp.’s John Garrison also touched on the electrification of equipment during a separate ConExpo-Con/Agg press conference, noting how it’s one route companies like his are taking to shape offerings around sustainability.

“We think we’re very well positioned to benefit from mega trends, and right at the center is this concept called ‘sustainability,’” says Garrison, chairman, president and CEO of Terex Corp. “We have to do things differently over the next five, 10, 15, 20 years than we did in the past to create a more sustainable world as we go forward. We think that creates tremendous opportunities for the types of solutions that we bring.”

Equipment manufacturers like Terex can grow by developing electric equipment. Terex Corp. says about 60 percent of its full product line is already manufactured either as an electric or hybrid offering.

“Significant investment is required in electrification globally – and especially here in North America – if we’re going to get anywhere close to the net-zero objectives that companies have set out,” Garrison says.

Still, like Schrader, Garrison admits battery technology has limitations in certain applications.

“The requirements are just so large on some machines with horsepower,” Garrison says. “Battery technology is not going to be able to meet those needs. At least we don’t see that in the foreseeable future. It could over time.”

Still, the demand for electric equipment is very real in certain applications.

“We’ve been good at electrical plants for a while now,” says Russ Burns, sales director at Terex MPS. “There’s a transition going on with customers trying to get away from heavy maintenance products. You can have multiple generators, multiple engines and hydraulic packages to keep up with.”

LiuGong’s battery-powered 856H-E MAX wheel loader was on display at ConExpo-Con/Agg. Photo: P&Q Staff

Yet, electric plants present different opportunities.

“When you go to an electric-style plant, it’s less maintenance,” Burns says. “It’s easier to maintain and with common components in many cases. There’s a skillset that comes along with the work on hydraulics and engines that is getting harder to find, as well.”

The benefits of electric don’t stop there, though.

“Simple electronics and pushbutton start and stops make operating convenient,” Burns says. “We’re seeing that switch from highly customizable plants, or self-generated plants, to more [electric] plants for cost savings – less fuel, less maintenance.”

One more perspective

Xylem’s Ken Albaugh also sees a shift from diesel to electric power taking place.

“There’s obviously a huge shift away from the diesel-powered equipment, getting more electrically efficient,” says Albaugh, director of sales and services at Xylem. “With some of the products we’ve launched over the years, we’ve seen huge efficiency gains. We focus on trying to make the most efficient water-moving equipment, whether it’s the design of the impellers or how the piping system is designed. We’re seeing a lot of that.”