Progress powered by needs
On any job site, performance is what matters most, and every hour of downtime is costly. That’s why operators expect machines to deliver not only reliability but also full power and precision. Electric drivetrains match the performance of diesel engines while offering higher energy efficiency and lower operating costs.
Operators can’t afford to compromise on performance, and they don’t have to. Electrification is not just about efficiency: it’s also a response to growing pressure to reduce emissions and noise, especially in urban areas that increasingly demand cleaner and quieter construction.
Building toward a zero-emission future
Oslo has already mandated for all construction sites to be emission free by 2030, Germany is pursuing greenhouse-gas neutrality by 2045, and the EU has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. Electrification offers a direct pathway to meet these targets.
The transition towards electrification is already happening. In Norway, Nasta has successfully deployed ABB-powered electric excavators across active construction sites, proving that heavy machinery can operate reliably, safely and competitively without diesel. In Finland, Junttan, a manufacturer of piling machines, introduced the world’s first electric model by partnering with ABB to reduce their CO2 emissions and increase productivity.
Cities leading the way
Diesel-powered construction equipment doesn’t just harm the environment; it poses serious risks to workers and surrounding communities. The risks extend beyond the site itself. Construction activity often operates in dense urban areas, exposing nearby residents, school children and workers to harmful pollutants. By contrast, electrified construction equipment removes that risk. For workers and communities, that difference is profound.
Large diesel engines create a lot of noise and vibration, that are disturbing bystanders and, in built-up areas, working hours may be tightly regulated to minimize disruption to the public.
Electric motors are much quieter and generate much less vibration, which makes the vehicles drivers much less fatiguing to operate. And, because they create much less disturbance, electrically powered machines can often be quiet enough to operate at night, although the noise of the actual work will remain.
In some locations like Zurich and Copenhagen, electric excavators, wheel loaders, and cranes are starting to be part of the construction sites. Electrically powered vehicles provide energy efficiency gains and since they don’t produce exhaust, they can also be used indoors, in tunnels, or in industrial halls. For companies working in public spaces and low-emission zones, electric machines are a real game changer: they make it possible to work where it used to be difficult or even impossible.
Drilling down on costs
Diesel engines lose significant energy to heat and mechanical friction, typically operating at around 45% efficiency - electric motors, by comparison, can achieve up to 95% efficiency. The same energy input translates into more work output. Power losses are minimal compared to combustion engines and fewer moving parts mean lower maintenance costs and increased reliability.
At the same time, electrified machinery lasts far longer - ABB powered electric motors can operate for up to 50,000 hours, compared to the 11,000-15,000-hour lifespan of a diesel engine. Lekatech’s linear electric motor technology for hammering, which uses ABB’s frequency converters, consumes up to 98% less oil than hydraulic hammers. The energy efficiency of an electric hammer is in a class of its own and it uses up to 70% less energy than a comparable hydraulic hammer..
Electric construction vehicles can lower operating costs by 40-60%. Modern electric drivetrains deliver instant torque, making machines respond faster, increase performance and run more smoothly.
The time to electrify is now
Construction has always been a symbol of progress. Today, progress is measured not just by how high we build, but by how we are able to achieve it. The hybridization of construction machinery is just the beginning. Electrification is a long-term shift toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
ABB has been at the heart of electrification for over 130 years, because it recognizes that it is a practical, productive and sustainable choice. The benefits span every part of the operation: from integration, to fueling and moving heavy loads. As cities and regions continue to restrict diesel use, and as grids become increasingly low carbon, the benefits of electric machinery are only set to grow.
