Industry Perspectives on Electrifying Heavy Equipment: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

Keith Pate, Farid El Breidi (), Tawfiq Salem and John Lumkes ()
Additional contact information
Keith Pate: School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
Farid El Breidi: School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
Tawfiq Salem: Department of Computer and Information Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
John Lumkes: Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: electrification; heavy equipment; hydraulic systems; electric vehicles; hybrid systems; emission regulations; industry trends; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2806/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2806/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:11:p:2806-:d:1666264

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().