The global construction industry still mainly uses diesel-powered construction vehicles such as excavators, cranes and dozers that are estimated to collectively emit around 400 Mt of CO₂ per year. That amount accounts for approximately 1.1% of global CO₂ emissions. Of these construction vehicles, excavators over 10-tonnes in weight are responsible for close to a staggering 46% of those emissions.
In addition to CO₂ emissions, diesel-powered vehicles also emit other harmful gasses and particulates that are harmful to the populations where these vehicles operate.
It is not just carbon emissions and harmful gases that are particularly challenging for the construction industry. Increasing governmental regulations, noisy work environments in urban areas, low energy efficiency, and wasted heat are proving to be mounting obstacles for owners & operators.
ABB has been a pioneer in developing electric powertrains for construction vehicles to overcome many of these challenges.