Industry Perspectives on Electrifying Heavy Equipment: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities
With rising urgency around carbon emissions and climate change, electrification has emerged as a central focus in traditionally combustion-reliant industries. With increasing regulatory restrictions on automotive and smaller off-highway markets (<25 hp), the heavy equipment industry faces growing...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2806 |
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| author | Keith Pate Farid El Breidi Tawfiq Salem John Lumkes |
| author_facet | Keith Pate Farid El Breidi Tawfiq Salem John Lumkes |
| author_sort | Keith Pate |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With rising urgency around carbon emissions and climate change, electrification has emerged as a central focus in traditionally combustion-reliant industries. With increasing regulatory restrictions on automotive and smaller off-highway markets (<25 hp), the heavy equipment industry faces growing pressures to adopt hybrid and fully electric solutions. Current literature primarily addresses technical electrification challenges, leaving a gap in understanding industry perspectives. This study explores trends, challenges, and expectations of electrification from industry representatives’ viewpoints, using data from 84 surveys conducted at the CONEXPO/CONAGG trade show and sentiment analysis of 100 interview notes gathered through an NSF Innovation Corps workshop. Results indicate substantial uncertainty toward electrification, with key limitations including power-to-weight ratios, high costs, maintenance, leakage concerns, and reliability of electronic components. The majority (77%) preferred traditional hydraulic systems due to familiarity and reliability, though concerns over maintenance and environmental impact remain prevalent. Participants anticipate a gradual industry transition, projecting widespread adoption of hybrid solutions in 10–15 years and longer timelines for fully electric systems. Effective adoption of greener technologies is likely through industry-wide standards and financial incentives. This study emphasizes the industry’s cautious yet gradually increasing openness to electrification amidst persistent technological and economic challenges. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fe6e56e6bf804a27946ffc4aa8529c1d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-fe6e56e6bf804a27946ffc4aa8529c1d2025-08-20T02:23:04ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-05-011811280610.3390/en18112806Industry Perspectives on Electrifying Heavy Equipment: Trends, Challenges, and OpportunitiesKeith Pate0Farid El Breidi1Tawfiq Salem2John Lumkes3School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USASchool of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USADepartment of Computer and Information Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USADepartment of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USAWith rising urgency around carbon emissions and climate change, electrification has emerged as a central focus in traditionally combustion-reliant industries. With increasing regulatory restrictions on automotive and smaller off-highway markets (<25 hp), the heavy equipment industry faces growing pressures to adopt hybrid and fully electric solutions. Current literature primarily addresses technical electrification challenges, leaving a gap in understanding industry perspectives. This study explores trends, challenges, and expectations of electrification from industry representatives’ viewpoints, using data from 84 surveys conducted at the CONEXPO/CONAGG trade show and sentiment analysis of 100 interview notes gathered through an NSF Innovation Corps workshop. Results indicate substantial uncertainty toward electrification, with key limitations including power-to-weight ratios, high costs, maintenance, leakage concerns, and reliability of electronic components. The majority (77%) preferred traditional hydraulic systems due to familiarity and reliability, though concerns over maintenance and environmental impact remain prevalent. Participants anticipate a gradual industry transition, projecting widespread adoption of hybrid solutions in 10–15 years and longer timelines for fully electric systems. Effective adoption of greener technologies is likely through industry-wide standards and financial incentives. This study emphasizes the industry’s cautious yet gradually increasing openness to electrification amidst persistent technological and economic challenges.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2806electrificationheavy equipmenthydraulic systemselectric vehicleshybrid systemsemission regulations |
| spellingShingle | Keith Pate Farid El Breidi Tawfiq Salem John Lumkes Industry Perspectives on Electrifying Heavy Equipment: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities Energies electrification heavy equipment hydraulic systems electric vehicles hybrid systems emission regulations |
| title | Industry Perspectives on Electrifying Heavy Equipment: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities |
| title_full | Industry Perspectives on Electrifying Heavy Equipment: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities |
| title_fullStr | Industry Perspectives on Electrifying Heavy Equipment: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Industry Perspectives on Electrifying Heavy Equipment: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities |
| title_short | Industry Perspectives on Electrifying Heavy Equipment: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities |
| title_sort | industry perspectives on electrifying heavy equipment trends challenges and opportunities |
| topic | electrification heavy equipment hydraulic systems electric vehicles hybrid systems emission regulations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2806 |
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