The trend of electrification in off-highway and heavy-duty equipment has continually been getting more attention, and while it’s not expected that electrification will become the main power source for equipment in the next decade, it’s becoming clear that the future of heavy-duty and off-road equipment will include electrification.
We wanted to take a deeper dive into the trend to find out exactly what industry members thought and what, if any, actions their companies are taking to explore electrification. We partnered with OEM Off-Highway to survey more than 300 industry members with a range of job titles and from across industries that use heavy-duty equipment, including construction, agriculture and transportation. Here’s what we found.
Benefits of Electrification
Overall, survey respondents are optimistic about the future of off-highway electric equipment, and 86 percent of survey takers believe electrification is more popular this year than it was last year.
Similarly, the majority of industry members recognize and agree on the benefits of electrification of heavy-duty equipment. Forty-six percent ranked long-term cost savings for equipment owners as the No. 1 benefit of electrification, followed by 25 percent for reduction in greenhouse gasses and 13 percent for reduction in routine maintenance.
While benefits of electric systems are clear, responses to the survey showed lingering skepticism and possible roadblocks.
Challenges for Electrification
Just as there are benefits supporting electrification, there are also challenges that are standing in the way of industry-wide adoption.
Battery technology is consistently ranked as the primary challenge against electrification, closely followed by cost of implementation and the willingness of industry to change.
The issue of battery technology is further complicated because of an insufficient charging infrastructure, especially in rural areas. A reliable charging system is essential for electrification to achieve widespread growth.
For electric systems to become attainable, advancements must focus on timely recharging, duration of continuous operation and battery size.
Pursuing a Future of Electric Heavy-Duty Equipment
Although limitations exist, the majority of respondents anticipate electric-powered equipment to become more prominent than fuel-powered equipment in 30 years. Plus 75 percent of respondents said their company either will or might take steps to pursue electrification in the next year.
These incremental steps to exploring how electrification could complement their current equipment include:
Overall, companies will need to examine whether electrification is a fit for their individual businesses, conduct research and monitor ongoing trends. Certain industries, based on the survey results, are predicted to experience more growth with electrification than others. These include truck, bus or municipal transportation, lawn and garden, and industrial/construction.
Only time will tell how electrification will progress within the off-highway and heavy-duty equipment industry, but with these survey results, we’re able to get a glimpse of what the future could hold. Want more details? Read the full report and explore more facts and takeaways.