When you think of huge industrial machinery, images of roaring diesel engines and clouds of smoke come to mind. However, the world of heavy machinery is undergoing a quiet revolution. Electricity is making significant inroads into large-scale equipment, and this shift is not just a fleeting trend. From giant mining excavators to powerful cargo trucks, electric vehicles (EVs) are proving they can handle the toughest jobs while providing environmental and operational benefits. Let’s start with the Komatsu PC8000-11, a true giant in the mining world. This is no ordinary excavator. As tall as a two-story building and weighing 778 tons, it is equipped with a bucket that can swallow more than 3,000 footballs. Traditionally, such massive machinery relied on diesel engines, which used hundreds of liters of fuel per hour. Yet, in an innovative move,
Komatsu has introduced an electric version of this behemoth. The electric PC8000-11 is powered by a heavy power cable instead of diesel, making it zero-emissions during operation. According to Komatsu Germany marketing manager Thomas Jordan, this change does not come at the expense of performance. In fact, the electric version has demonstrated a 95% reduction in well-to-wheel emissions compared to its diesel counterpart, provided the electricity comes from renewable sources such as nuclear or hydro power. This move towards electrification in mining is not just about reducing emissions. It is also about evolving industry standards and environmental regulations. Many mining operations are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprints, and electric machinery is becoming an attractive option. The massive Bagger 293: A monument to electrification If you think the PC8000-11 is impressive,
meet the Bagger 293. Built in the 1990s by German company Takraf, the Bagger 293 holds the Guinness World Record for heaviest land vehicle. It weighs 14,200 tonnes, which is roughly equivalent to 78 empty Boeing 747s. The Bagger 293 is used for strip mining and, despite its enormous size, it runs on electricity. This electricity comes through cables, as the vehicle is not fitted with an onboard battery. The use of electricity in such large machines is evidence of the ongoing shift towards more sustainable mining practices, even if the power source is not always renewable. The electric revolution is not just limited to mining equipment. Heavy freight vehicles are also being electrified. Take the Volvo FH electric truck, for example. These trucks, currently being tested in Sweden and Finland, are capable of carrying heavy loads while being powered by batteries. The truck-and-trailer system weighs 74 tonnes and is used in daily commercial traffic in Gothenburg, Sweden. Another version in Finland runs a 160km route with a 68-tonne setup. Niklas Andersson of Volvo Trucks highlights the rapid improvements in battery technology. Energy density in the company’s batteries has doubled in the past few years, making electric trucks more suitable for long-distance journeys. Despite the progress,
challenges remain, such as the need to recharge frequently in adverse weather conditions. One of the main obstacles to the electrification of heavy machinery is energy density. For example, the huge PC8000-11 excavator cannot yet be powered by batteries alone. Current technology would require a battery pack so massive that it would weigh more than half the vehicle. However, as Chris Thorne of UMAS explains, electric drivetrains are suitable for heavy-duty applications because they eliminate the need for complex mechanical systems, such as shafts and gears, which are common in fossil fuel-powered vehicles. The modular nature of batteries also means that power requirements can be scaled more flexibly. Despite these advances, some sectors remain hesitant to fully embrace electric technology. Heavy industry has long been dominated by diesel engines, and the shift to electric power represents a significant shift in both technology and mindset. Electric power is also making progress in other areas of heavy transport. While large electric aircraft capable of carrying 90 passengers are still a dream for the future, smaller electric aircraft are already in the skies. Today the largest electric aircraft can accommodate nine passengers, showing the potential for future growth in aviation. On the water, electric-powered ships are becoming a reality. Incat Hull 096, a ferry being built in Australia, will eventually have the capacity to carry 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. Despite still being under construction, this is a major achievement.