The electrification of work machinery is no longer a new phenomenon. Electrification has been underway for a long time, and many of the most advanced manufacturers already have electric products on the market. However, powertrains and their solutions continue to evolve, offering significant advantages over earlier generations. So why is now the right time to start designing a new electrified version or a first production model?
Environmental sustainability
We are living in a time when global attention has temporarily shifted from environmental issues towards geopolitics. Nevertheless, the long-term importance of the environment for humanity’s future has not changed. Legislation and various emissions targets are steering activities towards more environmentally sustainable solutions. There is a growing demand for locally emission-free or less polluting worksites.
A practical example can be found in the mining industry, where companies have recently had to carefully consider how to reduce pollution and emissions in their operations. This has led to significant operational changes. A good example is the Kemi mine, where a new type of fully emission-free scaling machine is being introduced.
Cost efficiency
When calculating costs over the entire lifecycle of a machine, electric machinery is often more cost-effective overall. While the initial investment may be higher, factoring in fuel costs including transportation and storage, maintenance and repair costs, and downtime quickly leads to a more economical outcome.
Electric work machinery also enables the utilisation of daily fluctuations in energy prices, for example by charging batteries at times when electricity prices are at their lowest. With conventional fuels, comparable rapid price fluctuations do not exist.
Technological development
Battery technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. Recent developments have resulted in batteries that are more affordable, lighter, and offer higher energy density. Control systems are also evolving rapidly, with the latest solutions providing clear advantages compared to those available only a few years ago.
While the technology itself has taken major leaps forward, intelligent software has progressed at least just as quickly. Today’s software can learn from its environment and its own operation, enabling optimisation that makes machines faster, more cost-efficient, and even safer.
Safety
Taking safety into account in product development is critical. Electrical engineering and control systems are governed by numerous regulations, which drive continuous improvements in safety and usability. With electric powertrains, for example, noise levels and machine vibration have been significantly reduced. This development is beneficial both in terms of environmental impact and operator comfort and safety.
The future
Electrification is progressing rapidly, driven by incentives, regulations, and legislation. Strong momentum is provided particularly by the benefits of electrification, such as lower total cost of ownership and reputational advantages. It is increasingly common to see companies highlighting in their communications the actions they have already taken to reduce their environmental impact.
At the same time, environmental regulations and site-specific requirements have already become stricter and will undoubtedly continue to do so. In some countries, we have already seen fully electric worksites – and I believe these will only become more widespread in the future. To remain competitive in the years ahead, investment in electrification should begin no later than now.
