Electric construction vehicles for quieter, cleaner worksites

Construction vehicles powered by diesel engines contribute to ongoing costs and environmental pollution, impacting both the environment and nearby communities.

IDTechEx's report, Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts, delves into the growing shift towards electric construction vehicles, examining battery chemistries, key market players, and the positive impact on workers and society.

Reducing costs

Electric construction vehicles aim to deliver maximum productivity, reliability, and efficiency while minimising costs. A crucial factor in achieving affordable electrification is selecting the right battery chemistry to ensure that the total cost of ownership is lower than diesel-powered alternatives.

Unlike passenger vehicles, construction machines require sustained power over longer durations, meaning lower power densities are needed.

Electrifying construction vehicles could also lead to the replacement of traditional hydraulic systems with electric linear actuators. This shift would not only reduce maintenance needs but also enhance the robustness and cleanliness of the vehicles, further driving down operational costs.

LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries are the dominant choice for electric construction machines, offering durability and the necessary performance for these vehicles. While NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) batteries offer higher energy and power density, they come at a higher cost.

The increased energy density of NMC batteries makes them more suitable for smaller machines, offering longer battery life in compact designs.

Regionally, NMC is more commonly used in Europe, while LFP is prevalent in China. IDTechEx notes that more than 75% of pack manufacturers in Europe and North America use NMC.

Concerns about electric machines running out of power during a full day’s work are being addressed through solutions like fast-charging, tethering, or battery swapping. However, many new machines are equipped with large enough batteries to complete a typical workday without issue

Worker benefits

One of the most significant advantages of electric construction vehicles is the reduction of noise pollution.

Operators will benefit from clearer communication without the need for noise-cancelling headphones, while construction sites will produce less disruptive noise and vibrations, leading to fewer complaints from nearby communities.

Air quality will also improve as the harmful emissions from diesel engines are eliminated, benefiting both workers' health and the surrounding population.

IDTechEx predicts that by 2044, electric construction machine sales will exceed 650,000 units, with the market reaching a value of over US$126bn.