Skip to main content

Electric machines for future construction and extraction

Electric drive machines could represent the future for the construction and extraction industries. This is the finding of a new new report from IDTechEx Research. Titled Electric Vehicles for Construction, Agriculture and Mining 2017-2027, the report predicts that electric vehicles for the construction and extraction and agriculture sectors would represent a $81 billion market by 2027. Major manufacturers such as Caterpillar, John Deere and Komatsu are currently building hybrid machines while other smaller
April 20, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Electric drive machines could represent the future for the construction and extraction industries. This is the finding of a new new report from 8424 IDTechEx Research. Titled Electric Vehicles for Construction, Agriculture and Mining 2017-2027, the report predicts that electric vehicles for the construction and extraction and agriculture sectors would represent a $81 billion market by 2027. Major manufacturers such as 178 Caterpillar, 257 John Deere and 2300 Komatsu are currently building hybrid machines while other smaller firms are already offering all-electric units.


Pure electric drive machines are already required for many indoor applications. However for outdoor use, customers are looking for good fuel saving and performance. Battery exchanging could help provide the power required for heavy equipment to work through an entire shift. Meanwhile large extraction operations could run mobile machines from electric power, with trolley line systems powering mobile equipment such as trucks.

The report from IDTechEx Research explains all this and gives detailed forecasts, comparisons and assessments. It shows how extraction operations will electrify more. It shows why the ubiquitous tractor in agriculture will, at last, be electric in volume quantities by 2027 and how new forms of vehicle design are coming. Benchmarking from the 46 categories of electric vehicle that IDTechEx forecasts, the report explains what new technologies will arrive and why. Supercapacitors, new power components, greater modularisation and integration will transform this industry. The report draws on interviews and results of many recent conferences on these sectors.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Tailpipe tale
    September 3, 2012
    Forthcoming emissions legislation is requiring engine firms to invest in new technology, writes Mike Woof
  • Future-Forward Power Solutions from John Deere
    October 1, 2022
    John Deere Power Systems is taking a diversified approach to its power solutions to meet the changing needs of the off-highway industry.
  • Volvo CE is looking to the future for construction machines
    September 12, 2018
    Volvo CE is taking bold steps in developing technologies for the future of construction machines – Mike Woof writes Volvo CE is making serious innovations in construction machine technology, developing equipment that is smarter, safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient. This innovation comes from a position of strength and from a financial perspective, Volvo CE is performing well. CEO Melker Jernberg said, “When it comes to performance we need to be good economically. We saw growth for 2018 in all region
  • New machines competing in ADT market
    February 19, 2013
    All-wheel-drive trucks for the Chinese market - Mike Woof reports. One noticeable development at the bauma China exhibition in Shanghai in late 2012 was the proliferation of ADT models. Doosan and Volvo showed some of their latest ADT variants alongside their latest excavators and are keen to highlight the benefits of ADTs for use on sites where traction or grade may be an issue for rigid trucks or on/off highway haulers. However Caterpillar chose to highlight its off-highway rigid trucks at bauma China, as