What are the Benefits of Electric Construction Equipment?
In our previous article on electrification, we looked at how electric construction equipment works and what the future holds for electrification in the construction and mining industries. With industry leaders like Volvo and Caterpillar releasing electric prototypes and ranges, what are the benefits of electric construction equipment for companies, end users and the general public?
Electric construction equipment produces fewer emissions
Possibly the largest advantage of electric construction machinery is that fuels are not burned during use. Some European cities are looking to regulate the emissions of urban construction sites, with low and no-emission zones popping up in an attempt to cut polluting emissions in densely populated areas.
Caterpillar released their prototype of a battery-powered, electric mining truck in late 2022. The Electric 793 mining truck is part of Caterpillar’s plan for a ‘sustainable mine site of the future’, and is not the only example of an industry giant looking to cut emissions with more sustainable, electric equipment. Volvo is also contributing to the electrification of the construction industry, with the aim of achieving 100% fossil fuel-free status by 2040.
Lower maintenance costs with electric construction equipment
Electric construction equipment comes with lower maintenance costs. Electric motors contain very few moving parts compared to internal combustion engines, meaning the likelihood of failure is very low. Lithium ion batteries and electric motors are essentially maintenance free, and the lifetime of one of these batteries matches, and can even exceed, that of a diesel engine.
When using diesel equipment, idling and downtime can also cost businesses time and money. This is greatly reduced with electric construction equipment, with fewer time-consuming checks needed to ensure parts are in working order, and less idling as electric motors turn off as soon as operators stop working – it’s a win-win for businesses and users when it comes to time and cost savings.
Electric construction machinery has similar performance specifications to diesel equipment
Some businesses and users might have concerns about whether electric construction machinery performs as well as diesel machinery- and it’s a valid question.
Manufacturers reassure the industry, however, that sustainable alternatives will not sacrifice performance, with Volvo’s ECR25 electric excavator and L25 electric wheel loader offering almost identical specifications to their diesel alternatives.
There are even cases where the performance of electric machinery has improved upon that of diesel, with the ECE25 electric excavator boasting instant torque, while the diesel engine has a slight, noticeable delay.
Electric machinery is quieter
Excessive noise is a big drawback of traditional, diesel construction machinery. HSE recommends that construction sites purchase lower noise equipment where possible, to help prevent tinnitus in operators. Volvo’s ECR25 electric excavator, is a potential solution, reducing exterior noise levels from 93dB to 84dB.
Investing in quieter, electric equipment could potentially see construction companies extend or move around their operating hours, especially in the hotter, summer months, without disturbing local surroundings with antisocial noise.
Electric construction offers greater comfort
Using heavy construction machinery can lead to back pain in operators, especially those who use excavators frequently. Electric excavators, however, like the Volvo ECR25 electric excavator, produce less vibration, reducing the risk of headaches, fatigue and back pain in users.
Electric construction machinery is slowly becoming more accessible, with Volvo’s fleet now globally available for order in 22 markets. However, there are still gaps in accessibility, investment can be pricey, and rural areas could struggle to support the electrification infrastructure currently.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for any replacement parts for your Caterpillar or Volvo construction equipment, contact Jaytrac today with details of your enquiry on +44 (0) 1604 491133 or fill out a contact form.