Electric heavy equipment

Electric heavy equipment, electric heavy machinery, electric construction vehicles, or electric construction equipment, refers to a subcategory of heavy equipment propelled by electric motors. The majority of electric heavy equipment uses electrical energy stored in an onboard battery which makes them battery electric vehicles. For construction machines that are rarely moved, such as stationary excavators, a cable connection can also supply power. Electrified heavy machinery is considered a key development in the decarbonisation of the construction sector.

The introduction of electric heavy equipment follows the introduction of other heavy electric vehicles such as electric trucks. The requirements for construction machinery are highly diverse and pose a number of challenges for electrification. For example, a mobile charging infrastructure is often required because most construction machinery cannot be relocated for charging. The required power and battery sizes can far exceed those of electric trucks and extreme temperatures, for example in road construction, challenge the temperature management of the batteries.