Contractors Adopt Heavy Electric Equipment to Fight Rising Prices

Construction Dive

Contractors continue to adopt electric equipment, more than “what is probably perceived,” said John Ryneska, business development manager at Trader Interactive, an online marketplace for heavy work equipment. That’s because as construction costs remain high compared to pre-pandemic, a switch to electric construction equipment brings lower operating and maintenance costs, as well as federal and state tax credit incentives.

Here, Ryneska talks about electric construction equipment, its benefits and its impact on the construction industry.

Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Q. You mentioned more jobsites are using electric construction equipment. Which pieces of equipment specifically and what are these replacing?

A: The small compact excavator stands out as a widely embraced electric construction equipment option, having existed as an electric vehicle for a while among brands like BOMAG, Case, Caterpillar, Develon and Doosan Bobcat.

Advancements in battery technology are enabling manufacturers to extend electrification to larger machinery like cranes, mining trucks and heavy-duty equipment, too.

The enhanced battery capacity empowers these larger machines to operate for more extended periods, offering original equipment manufacturers a wider array of electric choices capable of tackling the most rigorous tasks traditionally done by diesel-fueled equipment.

To read the rest of this story from our sister publication, Construction Dive, click here.