Russian Machinery Network has reported on how Chinese electric construction machinery adapts to harsh conditions in Russia.
Key points of the article:
- China is at the forefront of equipping construction machinery with electric motors.
- Many devices are preparing for electrification, but their operation in low-temperature conditions still poses challenges.
- The more specialized equipment prepared for working in Russian conditions, the greater the market entry opportunities.
China has made significant progress in equipping construction machinery with electric motors. Sales data from European companies are much more moderate, and North America performs even worse in this regard. These are the conclusions drawn by the analysis firm Off-Highway Research. Six types of specialized equipment were analyzed: compact track loaders, crawler excavators, mini excavators, telescopic handlers, wheeled excavators, and wheel loaders. The study does not include equipment with long-term electrification, such as scissor lifts.
In 2023, nearly 7,300 construction machines equipped with electric motors were sold globally. Most of these were medium-sized wheel loaders from China. If this number doesn’t seem significant, we can compare it to sales in North America: during the same period, sales of electric equipment exceeded only 250 units. Typically, these are small machines with a lifting capacity of up to 10 tons. The most popular are compact track loaders and mini excavators.
By 2028, the sales forecast for electric specialized equipment is not particularly impressive – an annual increase of 3,000 units is expected.
Once Chinese electric construction machinery is no longer afraid of Russian winters, it will begin to import more actively.
XCMG is confident that electric trucks have become an established trend, and the world will continue to move in this direction; more and more electric models will appear. As early as 2021, XCMG launched the first pure electric mining dump truck ZT118EV. However, it has not yet been supplied to Russia.
The factory is currently developing a test version of an unmanned electric excavator. The pilot version is also equipped with an electric car crane. In other words, many devices are being prepared for electrification. Although the biggest issue is the operation of this equipment in low-temperature conditions, especially in the far north regions, it should still be able to function. Technically, electrical engineering has not yet reached perfection in this regard; we know that even regular cars can “stop” in the cold. Surprises may also arise in high temperatures. Once these issues are thoroughly resolved, the equipment will become more actively deployed and mass production will begin.
China is at the forefront of electric motor production worldwide. However, when selling electric loaders in Russia, the first question people raise is about their ability to work in the harsh conditions of Russia.
Our clients are located in Siberia, where equipment not only operates in temperatures of +30-40°C but also at -30°C. After much consideration, Shantui informed us that the loaders currently produced domestically are not suitable for operating in temperatures of +30-40°C in Siberia.
Everyone is gradually getting used to electric equipment and discovering many advantages. However, to use it in Russian conditions, you need to be well prepared.
Even looking at electric buses, you can trace the evolution of electrical engineering. Infrastructure has been established and developed, technology is at play, and we ride them without any issues instead of traditional buses. Regardless of the weather outside – whether freezing or hot – everything operates normally. The construction industry is no different: the better the specialized equipment works under Russian conditions, the more it can enter our market.