Algeco UK has completed one of its most distinctive buildings ever for a UK client, having put the finishing touches to a two-floor GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt® with retail and coffee outlet in a structure with four curved sides in Stevenage. The building has been completed in just 11 weeks by
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has reached a significant milestone with the opening of its 100th rapid charging station in Wales. The new hub at Capital Shopping Park in Cardiff features 10 charging bays equipped with state-of-the-art charge points compatible with every electric vehicle (EV)
EV infrastructure provider installs third site as part of four retail locations across Scotland, which will deliver a megawatt of power between them. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure provider, FOR EV, has launched a new site at Tesco Express on Great Northern Road, Aberdeen. The new 200kW charging hub, which is
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has released research highlighting the significant strides being made by commercial landlords in the East of England[1] and across the UK toward embracing public electric vehicle (EV) charging. The survey, which included responses from 500 commercial landlords aged 18 and
Rolec and Sinexcel partnered in 2022, to deliver high-quality, scalable, and reliable DC charging products, dedicated to operational excellence, accessibility, and innovation. The partnership has set the standard in providing economical ultra-rapid charging solutions. Since partnering over two years ago, Rolec and Sinexcel have achieved remarkable success with the installation
Bicester Motion, the 444-acre future mobility estate in Bicester, Oxfordshire and Skyports Infrastructure, the leader in vertiport infrastructure for the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry, have been given the green light to build the UK’s first vertiport testbed for the electric air taxi industry. The application for the new vertiport
Leading infrastructure supplier, FOR EV, has officially launched a major EV charging hub in Edinburgh. Located in Seafield Retail and Trade Park, just a five-minute drive from the popular Leith neighbourhood, the new hub provides a prime charging destination for EV drivers and shoppers travelling to and from the north
Siemens Smart Infrastructure has unveiled a new variant of its SICHARGE D electric vehicle (EV) fast charger, boasting a maximum output of 400 kW, tailored specifically for IEC markets. The SICHARGE D is designed to be future-proof, meeting the relevant standards, protocols, and regulations while remaining adaptable to both current
Author: Pranav Jaswani, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx The construction machine industry is still in its early stages of electrification, with the first small electric machine only coming onto the market in 2015. However, IDTechEx’s new report, “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts”, highlights how the electric machines of
Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group, announces the development of its first charging hub in the UK. Construction has now commenced and is underway, with the hub scheduled to be operational with the completion of the first phase in November 2024. Strategically located
Algeco UK has completed one of its most distinctive buildings ever for a UK client, having put the finishing touches to a two-floor GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt® with retail and coffee outlet in a structure with four curved sides in Stevenage. The building has been completed in just 11 weeks by Algeco UK on behalf of GRIDSERVE, which was looking for a building to sit alongside electric vehicle chargers at Knebworth Estate, Stevenage just off the A1 – which was identified as a critical location for volume electric car users. There is no shortage of available charging stations on the site, hosting 30 EV charging bays, including 24 High Power bays with up to 360kW of power – some of the fastest chargers publicly available today, capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. The ground floor of the building has 4,247 sq. ft. of space, and features a grocery retail outlet and coffee shop to keep drivers busy while their cars are charging. There’s enough space for 30 vehicles including two accessible spaces and two parent-and-child spaces. Level two of the building, with 4,236 sq. ft. of space, contains an EV experience area and airport-style lounge. Algeco UK is a leading provider of permanent modular buildings, temporary accommodation and storage containers delivering construction expertise to diverse sectors including retail, commercial, industrial, education, health, defence and justice, and many more. GRIDSERVE is best known for opening the UK’s first Electric Forecourt® in Braintree in 2020 and has since opened Electric Forecourts® in Norwich and London Gatwick Airport. The structure created for GRIDSERVE in Stevenage is based on Algeco’s IBEX modular unit and built at its Carnaby factory. However this is the first of its type for any client with all four sides being curved. Paul Beard, Senior Design Manager for Algeco UK, explained the curved sides of the building created new challenges as it tested the tolerance of the steel used, before finding a solution to ensure it was as strong as the rest of the structure. He said: “The curves to all four sides of the building pose many challenges with tolerances experienced while curving the hot-rolled frames at temperatures exceeding 500 degrees. The external cladding also has to be millimetre perfect to achieve the desired aesthetics.” Julian Foster, Chief Operating Officer at GRIDSERVE said: “Being able to deliver reliable charging quickly and efficiently helps us on our mission to give drivers the confidence to switch to EV. “However building an Electric Forecourt® is not just about infrastructure; it’s about paving the way for a sustainable future. This project demonstrates our commitment to innovation, net zero energy, and a greener world for generations to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has reached a significant milestone with the opening of its 100th rapid charging station in Wales. The new hub at Capital Shopping Park in Cardiff features 10 charging bays equipped with state-of-the-art charge points compatible with every electric vehicle (EV) model on the market today. The Cardiff Shopping Park hub provides a variety of charging options for EV owners. With eight 300kW DC chargers, drivers can add up to 100 miles of range in just 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the vehicle and battery capacity. For those planning a longer visit, two slower AC chargers are also available. Osprey Charging now operates the largest number of rapid charge points in Wales, with over 100 in operation. In 2024 so far, the company has installed more than 40 new rapid and ultra-rapid charge points in the region, contributing to better air quality, lower noise pollution and supporting local decarbonisation efforts. This Capital Shopping Park hub reflects Osprey’s ongoing commitment to expanding Wales’ EV infrastructure. With simple payment options that include contactless bank cards, Apple/Google Pay, the Osprey App and RFID card payments, as well as payments through all major third-party payment methods including fleet cards, this new installation arrives in south Wales just weeks after Osprey opened a hub in the north of the country at Billy Jeans Café in Holywell. Two more rapid charging hubs are also set for launch before the end of the year, underscoring Osprey’s rapid expansion throughout Wales. “We are proud to be at the forefront of Wales’ EV transition,” said Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging. “With over 1,200 charging bays across the UK, including more than 100 charge points in Wales, the opening of our Capital Shopping Park hub in Cardiff is an important step in our mission to provide reliable and accessible rapid charging for all drivers wherever they live. This hub not only helps meet the immediate needs of those with EVs but also plays a crucial role in our broader commitment to building a future-proof network across the UK.” Osprey has a long-standing history of supporting the growth of EV infrastructure in Wales. In 2020, the company partnered with Cardiff Council to install 12 rapid charging stations in Cardiff city centre, marking a pivotal moment in their commitment to regional development. Osprey’s continued investment in the region will ensure that more areas have access to high-quality charging facilities as the country works towards the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles. All of Osprey’s charging stations, including those at Capital Shopping Park, are powered by 100% renewable energy. By funding the installation and continuing to oversee the operation and maintenance of the chargers, Osprey ensures charge point reliability for all EV drivers. As a multi-award-winning network, Osprey has been recognized as a Zap-Map ‘Driver Recommended Network’ for the fourth consecutive year, with its locations consistently rated highly for safety and accessibility by the independent inspection body ChargeSafe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
EV infrastructure provider installs third site as part of four retail locations across Scotland, which will deliver a megawatt of power between them. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure provider, FOR EV, has launched a new site at Tesco Express on Great Northern Road, Aberdeen. The new 200kW charging hub, which is less than a 10-minute drive from the city centre, is equipped with three dual charging points and six connectors that can charge a typical EV from 20% to 80% in just 30 minutes. The completion marks the latest of four sites run by Cedarwood Asset Management Ltd, including recently launched charging hubs at Sainsbury’s Inverkip in Inverclyde and Toolstation Montrose. The next step of the expansion will be FOR EV’s delivery of a fourth site in Fraserburgh, securing a combined total of 22 connectors across the Cedarwood sites. Paul Jenkins, Director at Cedarwood Asset Management Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have completed another deal with FOR EV and are sure that the public and staff of the Tenants on this site will benefit significantly from this additional facility.” John Ross, Business Development Manager at FOR EV, said: “We have a strong and growing relationship with Cedarwood Asset Management. Delivering a third site enables us to provide user-friendly EV charging infrastructure to a wider range of drivers across Scotland. “It’s important for retail businesses and landowners to recognise the need for infrastructure as not only an essential provision for EV owners but also an opportunity to attract new customers.” FOR EV is Scotland’s leading charge point operator and is supported by funding from The Scottish National Investment Bank. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has released research highlighting the significant strides being made by commercial landlords in the East of England[1] and across the UK toward embracing public electric vehicle (EV) charging. The survey, which included responses from 500 commercial landlords aged 18 and over, emphasises a growing commitment to sustainability and future-proofing commercial spaces in the region. Polling 500 commercial landlords across the UK, Osprey found just under 1 in 5 (19%) commercial landlords surveyed currently offer public EV charging in 31-40% of their spaces. However, an impressive 94% of commercial landlords surveyed in the East of England said they plan to continue offering EV charging points over the next 1-2 years, demonstrating a strong regional commitment to supporting the transition to EVs. Osprey’s findings reflect that most UK commercial landlords surveyed agree on the commercial advantages of providing public EV charging at their sites. The data shows that nearly nine in ten UK commercial landlords surveyed feel that installing public EV charging at their sites is important for attracting new and retaining existing customers (86% and 87% respectively)[2]. Similarly, 85%2 of UK commercial landlords believe that EV charging is important for ensuring their site is an in-demand space in the future. Additionally, three-quarters (75%)[3] said that it leads to longer dwell times from visitors, and 72%3 think that it leads to increased total customer footfall. In terms of rental prospects, 84% of landlords surveyed believe that providing public EV charging increases the likelihood of renting their spaces to businesses. This notion is matched among landlords in the East of England, with 92% agreeing. The roll-out of public EV chargers is progressing rapidly, with the installation of charging stations at commercial spaces remaining a top priority for UK commercial landlords. Nearly three-quarters (72%) currently offer public EV charging at up to half of their spaces. Osprey’s award-winning network is at the forefront of this effort, with over 1,100 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers available in key locations across the UK. In the East of England region alone, Osprey boasts 168 high-powered rapid chargers across 45 sites, including 11 ultra-rapid charging hubs. Jake Goldby, Head of Acquisitions at Osprey Charging, said: “Installing public EV charging is becoming an essential requirement for UK commercial landlords who want to stay competitive and meet customer demands. From the financial benefits of higher customer footfall to greater future renting opportunities, this research has provided us with fascinating insights into why more and more are offering EV charging on their sites. The growing commitment in regions like the East of England is particularly encouraging, reflecting a strong regional drive toward sustainability. “Partnering with commercial landlords has been integral for Osprey in allowing us to increase the roll-out of our charging infrastructure, which now has over 1,100 public high-powered EV chargers in rural and urban locations across the UK. We’re delighted to see that this research shows that they remain committed to supporting the roll-out of public charging infrastructure across the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rolec and Sinexcel partnered in 2022, to deliver high-quality, scalable, and reliable DC charging products, dedicated to operational excellence, accessibility, and innovation. The partnership has set the standard in providing economical ultra-rapid charging solutions. Since partnering over two years ago, Rolec and Sinexcel have achieved remarkable success with the installation of UltraCharge 160 units for several high-profile clients, including Porsche, Rolls Royce, Edinburgh City Council, Collins Earthworks, and Yorkshire Ambulance Services. Building on the strength and success of their ongoing partnership, Rolec and Sinexcel are excited to launch the UltraCharge 30, the most compact and affordable 30kW DC rapid charger coming to the market. Purpose-built and designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses, councils, fleets, and destinations. Introducing the UltraCharge 30: a versatile, future-proof EV charging solution, whether wall or pedestal-mounted, the unit offers up to 30kW power output in a space-efficient design. Delivering up to 10-80% charge in under 1.5 hours. With 96% peak efficiency, it optimises energy use, speeding up charging times and maximising ROI. It’s beneficial for sites looking to integrate a robust and rapid EV infrastructure. The UltraCharge 30 features the same trusted controller used in the popular UltraCharge 160, ensuring both reliability and performance. Its competitive pricing makes it an accessible option, minimising upfront costs while providing ease of installation. It combines proven technology with modern advancements to deliver a powerful and cost-effective solution. Compliant with the PAS 1899 accessible charging standard, it’s an ideal solution for destinations where accessibility is essential for serving a diverse customer base. Caravan parks, holiday parks, theme parks, hotels, resorts, shopping centres, sports stadiums, and more should prioritise meeting accessibility regulations. Businesses can offer pay-to-charge solutions and benefit from generating additional revenue. Activation is simple via ISO 15118 plug & charge, mobile app, and RFID, or with the added convenience of an optional contactless payment terminal. Designed with the latest features, it supports dynamic power management, over-the-air updates, an 8” HD user interface touch screen with advertising capability, and is compatible with any OCPP 1.6 CPMS, which is upgradable to OCPP 2.0.1. The UltraCharge 30 features a CCS2 charging connector for fast and reliable compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles. For seamless operation and data management, the unit supports both 4G and Ethernet connectivity methods, ensuring consistent communication and control. Businesses can benefit from bespoke branding and colour options, whether it’s adding a logo or creating a fully custom design. Businesses who want to provide public EV charging have the option to fully fund the purchase and installation of 30kW DC units through Rolec’s strategic partnership with funding provider, Wattif. This allows businesses to benefit from implementing the latest EV infrastructure without capital expenditure or investment risk. The unit is available for preorder now, with deliveries available from early November.Speaking on the product, Frankie Mellon, Rolec’s Managing Director, said:“I am thrilled to introduce the UltraCharge 30, a major step forward in delivering compact, cost-effective DC charging solutions. This unit is designed to supply rapid charging at an accessible price, with a focus on accessibility for all users. The UltraCharge 30 builds on the success of its big brother, the UltraCharge 160, offering the same tried-and-tested technology in a smaller, very affordable package. We’ve worked closely with Sinexcel to ensure this product is equipped to meet the many requirements of the UK market, such as contactless payment and PAS 1899 accessible charging standard compliance. It also supports ISO 15118 plug & charge for seamless convenience and is future-proof with OCPP 2.0.1 upgradability. The UltraCharge 30 is easy to install and maintain, with full support provided by both Rolec and Sinexcel’s technical teams. As workplaces increasingly demand both DC and AC charging solutions for fleets, visitors, and employees, we offer a reliable and affordable product with a short lead time. Stocked in the UK by Rolec, available for next-day delivery to our UK customers starting later this year.” Charles Meng, Head of Charging Solutions at Sinexcel, commented: “We see our ongoing partnership with Rolec as a significant milestone toward achieving our shared vision. As we’ve deepened our relationship, we’ve become more aligned on common goals. Sinexcel admires Rolec’s steadfast commitment to zero emissions. Their team is professional and precise, consistently impressing us with their deep expertise in the EV charging industry and their drive for innovation. Our team’s visits to Boston since forming this partnership have been both engaging and productive, leading to exciting new aspirations. We’re thrilled to launch the UltraCharge 30 together. We take pride in such exceptional products and are confident that the UltraCharge 30 will be well-received in the UK and EU EV charging sectors.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bicester Motion, the 444-acre future mobility estate in Bicester, Oxfordshire and Skyports Infrastructure, the leader in vertiport infrastructure for the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry, have been given the green light to build the UK’s first vertiport testbed for the electric air taxi industry. The application for the new vertiport to be built at Bicester Motion as part of its strategy to continue to be at the forefront of flight to welcome past, present and future technologies to its airfield, has been approved by local planning authority Cherwell District Council. The vertiport, positioned adjacent to Bicester Motion’s existing general aviation grass runways, will continue the airfield’s long history of aerospace innovation. It will include a compact 160 sq m passenger terminal which will be a critical facility for testing ground infrastructure and flight operations and will play a significant role in enabling the next generation of electric, low noise aviation in the UK. Skyports Infrastructure has partnered with Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering zero-emissions aviation through electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. New designs have been unveiled to showcase Vertical Aerospace’s latest VX4 prototype which will be the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to fly at the Skyports vertiport. The VX4 is designed to be piloted, carry four passengers and have a range of up to 100 miles. The aircraft successfully completed its first tethered piloted flight in July and is now progressing through its robust piloted test flight programme. Vertical will use the Skyports vertiport to conduct demonstration flights and test key procedures ahead of commercial launch. The new renders have depicted the vertiport’s interior, which will be equipped with Skyports’ proprietary vertiport technology solutions, which include its Resource Management and Scheduling System (RMSS) and Vertiport Automation System (VAS). Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive, Bicester Motion said: “This is a significant moment for Bicester Motion and the future of aviation here. The former RAF Bicester was born in a period of intense technological innovation and played its role in 1938 when the Halifax prototype L7244 flew its maiden trail flights from Bicester. “Today, we continue to welcome aircraft from all eras including new mobility technologies to provide a viable future for our historic airfield through such pioneering partnerships as Skyports. The vertiport green light enables us to continue to host such aviation innovation and advance a world where sustainable and accessible electric aviation is in reach for all, with Bicester Motion at the centre.” Duncan Walker, chief executive, Skyports said: “With the green light from Cherwell District Council, now begins the exciting stage in vertiport development: building it. The tests and trials we conduct at this facility will be instrumental to the future of quiet, electric, vertical flight. Our vertiport at Bicester Motion will facilitate important learnings and demonstrations that advance the adoption of AAM. We are proud to be playing a pioneering role in shaping the future of this exciting industry in the UK.” The vertiport is being developed as part of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium: a group of leading British aviation, technology and transportation organisations pioneering AAM in the UK, backed by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge. The vertiport will serve as a key node for the Consortium’s wider testing programme, including demonstration flights, ground operations, aircraft integration, and public and stakeholder engagement. Michael Cervenka, chief commercial & technology officer, Vertical Aerospace, added: “The Skyports vertiport is a critical piece of infrastructure, helping to get our VX4 aircraft up into the air and demonstrate to the world that the future of flight is electric. We’re excited to see what the UK’s first permanent vertiport will look like as we move into an important phase of the industry – making this real. The tests we carry out here in Bicester with our VX4 will advance our understanding of electric aviation and revolutionise how we travel – paving the way for zero emissions, quiet flight.” James Richmond, head of future flight, consortium lead AtkinsRéalis, said: “The vertiport living lab will go beyond demonstrating flight procedures and will validate the entire ecosystem the partners have created from the ground up. Gaining planning consent was a critical milestone and provided important learning for all stakeholders involved, helping to enable and scale advanced air mobility in the UK.” Construction is due to start in the Autumn. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading infrastructure supplier, FOR EV, has officially launched a major EV charging hub in Edinburgh. Located in Seafield Retail and Trade Park, just a five-minute drive from the popular Leith neighbourhood, the new hub provides a prime charging destination for EV drivers and shoppers travelling to and from the north of the city. FOR EV delivered the project with the site’s landowners and Scottish real estate asset managers, Rankeilour Properties. Providing a reliable location where local customers and passing travellers can ‘charge-and-go’, the new rapid chargers can deliver up to 200kW and provide the typical EV with 150 miles of range in 20-30mins. The hub has space to charge eight EVs simultaneously, with optimised load-balancing capabilities to minimise waiting times and maximise the charging speed for all drivers. With easy access via Seafield Road, the new EV charging hub is well-positioned amongst a variety of popular shops and food places, including Halfords, Greggs and McDonald’s. It includes a modern ‘tap and go’ contactless payment system, to provide users with quick and hassle-free payment while on the move, without having to sign up to an app. Seafield is the largest site FOR EV has installed in Edinburgh, where it has six others already in operation. Calum Wallace, Senior Business Development Manager at FOR EV, said: “The successful delivery of our new charging destination at Seafield Retail and Trade Park marks a significant milestone for FOR EV. This is our 30th site in Scotland, adding to our growing portfolio of locations across the country. The new hub will provide major benefits to the local community, with an accessible site adjacent to a busy thoroughfare where EV drivers can access fast and easy charging as they shop, or en route to their destination. With the local LEZ having launched just last month, we expect to see a growth in EV use around the city, and accessible, safe and reliable charging sites such as these are essential to support the transition. “As more drivers begin to make the transition to EV, our ambition is to support their journey by making the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. We’re looking forward to furthering this support with the delivery of more reliable charging sites in the near future.” Jamie Fergusson, Co-owner of Rankeilour Properties, said: “Our new, reliable on-site charge points will be a great asset to not only our own business, but Seafield Retail and Trade Park as a whole. In addition to ensuring our team and customers benefit from accessible EV chargers, the hub will also support our neighbouring businesses by attracting EV drivers to the area and encouraging more engagement amongst the local community. “For EV have been excellent to work with from the initial planning stages, through to delivery. They have communicated with us every step of the way and successfully installed the chargers with minimal upheaval to the existing car park.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Siemens Smart Infrastructure has unveiled a new variant of its SICHARGE D electric vehicle (EV) fast charger, boasting a maximum output of 400 kW, tailored specifically for IEC markets. The SICHARGE D is designed to be future-proof, meeting the relevant standards, protocols, and regulations while remaining adaptable to both current and emerging charging requirements. Notably, the SICHARGE D dispenser allows for the simultaneous charging of up to four vehicles with just one grid connection, optimising charging times and offering financial and spatial savings for Charge Point Operators (CPOs). Markus Mildner, CEO of eMobility at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, stated: “The widespread adoption of eMobility is essential for a more sustainable future. Reducing charging times for both electric cars and trucks, especially during journeys, will be crucial in enhancing the convenience and acceptance of this mode of transport. The SICHARGE D represents a significant milestone in achieving this goal.” The SICHARGE D has been designed with flexibility in mind, making it ideally suited for various use cases, including destination charging, public fast-charging, and highway charging. It can provide a continuous, stable power output of 400 kW even in ambient temperatures of 40°C. The charger is equipped with a multi-language touchscreen featuring an intuitive user interface, along with cable management systems at both the charger and the dispenser, ensuring easy cable handling and making the charging process as convenient as possible for EV drivers. CPOs will also benefit from the charger’s flexibility, as the touch display offers options for advertising, and a variety of payment terminals can be integrated to match the CPO’s chosen payment partner. In addition, Siemens provides tailored services and ongoing support throughout the product’s entire lifecycle—from the initial installation to digital and remote services, as well as on-site assistance. Road transport remains the largest contributor to emissions within the EU’s transport sector, accounting for nearly three-quarters of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the Fit for 55 package, the European Union (EU) has introduced new regulations targeting CO2 emissions from vehicles. These regulations increase the CO2 emission reduction targets for 2030 and set a new target of 100% for 2035. A robust EV charging network will be critical to achieving these goals. For more information on Siemens Smart Infrastructure, please visit www.siemens.com/smart-infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Author: Pranav Jaswani, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx The construction machine industry is still in its early stages of electrification, with the first small electric machine only coming onto the market in 2015. However, IDTechEx’s new report, “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts”, highlights how the electric machines of today are bigger and better than their predecessors from less than 10 years ago. OEMs worldwide are picking up the pace of electric machine development, and IDTechEx finds the industry will grow to be worth over US$126 billion in 2044. Digging force of electric vs. diesel mini-excavators. Source: IDTechEx Machine performance continues to improve The first electric machines to come onto the scene were mini-excavators. Their smaller sizes and less intense workloads made them the ideal testing ground for construction electrification. Many construction companies’ concerns then were whether these electric machines could withstand the demands of the job site and deliver similar performance to diesel engines. IDTechEx’s new report finds that electric mini-excavators are now at a point of development where they can match diesel on virtually all key metrics. EVs offer up equivalent or even superior power to diesel machines, with models from Kato and Wacker Neuson able to generate 30-60% more digging force than an average diesel machine of the same size. Significant improvements have been seen in the runtime of these machines too. Where the first machines on the market only achieved 4 to 6 hours of operation on a single charge, newer machines can manage up to 8 hours of operation (a full workday) as standard. Persistent battery development has played a huge part in this increase, and IDTechEx expects runtimes to reach 9 to 10 hours in the near future. Large excavators and loaders are coming to the fore While mini-excavators dominated the early phases of electric construction machine growth and are still the market’s largest segment, the development focus has pivoted onto large excavators and wheel loaders. Together, these two machine types made up 35% of all equipment sales in 2023 and are some of the heaviest emitters of greenhouse gases on the job site, contributing to over 50% of all construction machine emissions. Their electrification is, therefore, key to furthering the decarbonization of the global construction industry. As the rate of new electric machine models entering production has increased from 2019 to 2023, so has the size of these machines. Where 3-tonne mini-excavators once represented the height of electric machine technology, multiple OEMs now have large excavator models weighing 20 tonnes or greater. The Chinese OEM Know-How even started producing a 52-tonne electric excavator in 2023, which is by far the largest seen to date. Wheel loaders have reached a similar stage, with new 20-tonne machines now being the norm for electrification. Bigger machines necessitate bigger and more advanced battery systems, and the rise of electric excavators and wheel loaders has seen battery sizes in construction shoot up dramatically over the last 5 years. The maximum battery size installed in newly produced models has consistently gone up from ~30 kWh in 2018 – used in mini-excavators and similar compact machines – to over 500 kWh in 2023. The Know-How 52-tonne excavator is equipped with an enormous 700 kWh battery, which IDTechEx estimates would cost US$210,000 on its own and weigh over 3.5 tonnes. What’s next for EV construction machines? Many of the larger machines now entering the market have already gone down the same path as mini-excavators in matching the performance of diesel counterparts. OEMs are at a stage where performance parity is no longer challenging to achieve and are focused on expanding their EV portfolios into bigger machines and new equipment types. Chinese OEMs have been market leaders in this sense, developing larger excavators and wheel loaders while also being proactive in the electrification of mobile cranes weighing in the hundreds of tonnes. Battery advancements will play a huge part in determining the future of the electric construction industry. OEMs currently achieve battery pricing far above what is seen in the automotive market, but increasing the scale of EV production and setting up dedicated supply chains will help bring down costs. At the same time, improving the efficiency of existing battery technologies and bringing in more advanced Li-ion and future battery technologies will widen the types of machines that can be electrified and further enhance their performance. The new IDTechEx report “Electric Vehicles in Construction 2024-2044: Technologies, Players, Forecasts” provides deeper analysis of the future of the electric construction machine industry. It finds that the industry will grow at a CAGR of 21% to reach US$126 billion in value by 2044. For more information and downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/EVConstruction. For the full portfolio of electric vehicle market research available from IDTechEx, please see www.IDTechEx.com/Research/EV. Upcoming free-to-attend webinar….. The Electric Future of Construction: EV Machines On The Rise Pranav Jaswani, Technology Analyst at IDTechEx and author of this article, will be presenting a free-to-attend webinar on the topic on Thursday 5 September 2024 – The Electric Future of Construction: EV Machines On The Rise. This webinar will include: We will be holding exactly the same webinar three times in one day. Please register for the session that is most convenient for you. Click here to check the timings and register for your specific time zone. If you are unable to make the date, please register anyway to receive the links to the on-demand recording (available for a limited time) and webinar slides as soon as they are available. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and Volvo Group, announces the development of its first charging hub in the UK. Construction has now commenced and is underway, with the hub scheduled to be operational with the completion of the first phase in November 2024. Strategically located within the United Kingdom and Europe Immingham, strategically located on the east coast of England, boasts robust internal connections facilitated by excellent road and rail links, including direct access to major motorways such as the M180, M18, and M1, ensuring efficient cargo distribution across the UK. The port’s proximity enables less than 24-hour connectivity to a European market of 170 million people, regularly servicing Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic regions with over 30 Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) and Lo-Lo (lift-on/lift-off) sailings each week. These extensive connections and capabilities solidify Immingham’s position as a key logistical hub, enhancing its role in facilitating trade and transportation between the UK and the broader European market. The hub is to be located on Able Humber Port (AHP) – a 311ha deep-water offshore wind and renewable energy port and more than 1,000 metres of planned heavy-duty quays to be developed on 43.1ha of riverbed. Peter Stephenson, Founder and Executive Chairman of AHP stated: “We are delighted to be welcoming Milence to Able Humber Port to develop one of the first electric charging HGV hubs in the UK. This is an exciting step forward in supporting the decarbonising of the Humber Ports and assisting Able Humber Port and the region transition towards net zero.” About the charging hub The new Milence charging hub will be the first of its kind in the UK, representing a significant step towards a greener future for road transport. The development of the charging hub in Immingham will be carried out in multiple phases: Anja van Niersen, CEO at Milence: “Expanding into the UK with our first charging hub in Immingham represents a significant milestone for Milence. This strategic location not only enhances our ability to support the growing demand for sustainable transport solutions but also aligns with our commitment to driving the future of green logistics across Europe.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
