Putzmeister Oceania is helping to turn the tide when it comes to the electrification of the construction sector, showing how effective, and simple, the transition to more sustainable equipment can be. Their latest trial of the first Australian Design Rules (ADRs) approved and road registered 100 per cent electric truck mixer is reflecting this push.
Putzmeister Oceania is renowned for its dedication to sustainability and innovation.
The construction equipment supplier and manufacturer has advanced electric machinery in recent years with the goal of lowering carbon emissions, increasing productivity, and meeting the construction industry’s increasing need for eco-friendly solutions.
The use of electric-powered machinery has become a crucial part of the construction industry’s green transformation as it struggles with the requirement to lower its carbon footprint and increase energy efficiency.
It has introduced electric power into some of its best-selling goods, providing substitutes for conventional diesel-powered machinery, with many of these solutions being touted for potential use in major government infrastructure projects across Australia.
Chris Bartlett, Head of Construction Equipment at Putzmeister Oceania says the company is strongly committed to improving and optimising electric machinery for the betterment of several sectors across Australia.
“Many of our customers are rightfully focusing on achieving zero emission targets through implementing more sustainable technology and there’s a lot of variation as to how to achieve this,” he says. “Some are going down the path of hydrogen and other renewable sources.
“SANY, through Putzmeister Oceania, has strong alliances in the battery electric space, particularly in countries such as China, where there’s already an extensive commercial vehicle electric infrastructure.”
When compared to conventional diesel-powered machinery, electric machinery significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This is particularly crucial in areas where governments are increasingly enforcing stricter environmental standards.
By replacing diesel engines with electric motors, Putzmeister Oceania’s electric machinery helps construction companies lower their carbon footprint and align with global sustainability goals.
Electric motors are quieter than their diesel counterparts, significantly reducing noise levels on job sites. In urban areas, where noise pollution is a growing concern, electric machinery offers a practical solution. This helps maintain good relations with the local community and complies with noise regulations that are often a limiting factor on construction schedules.
Through its innovative electric-powered pumps, boom trucks, and stationary units, Putzmeister Oceania is helping pave the way for a more sustainable, quieter, and cleaner construction process.
It’s for these reasons that electric machinery and equipment is no longer a novelty, instead a preferred choice for contractors and infrastructure companies alike. Especially in large-scale and government-led projects.
This momentum shift can already be seen on some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects.
The high-tech trains that will be used when the Suburban Rail Loop is in operation will be powered fully by renewable energy, reflecting the industry and nation’s prioritisation and preference towards sustainable machinery.
Electric pumps, cranes and hoists are also being used as part of Lendleases’ works at One Sydney Harbour.
Incentives, such as the Federal Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund, as well as funding handed out through the government-owned Clean Energy Finance Corporation are also contributing to the tide turning on electric equipment and machinery use.
SANY Oceania, along with Putzmeister Oceania, are taking this acceleration into its own hands.
Trial insights
As part of its development and promotion of electric machinery, Putzmeister Oceania is undergoing a brand-new trial, partnering with Holcim Australia, a leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, to evaluate the performance of Australia’s first roadworthy, 100 per cent electric concrete truck mixer.
The SANY eMixer was the first ADR (Australian Design Rules) approved 8×4 rigid chassis in Australia to be fully electric powered, using CCS2 DC charging infrastructure.
The truck has the flexibility to accommodate various truck bodies, allowing it to be used in different applications such as cement mixers, tippers, and waste industry vehicles.
The trial has helped to validate the truck’s performance in real-world conditions, particularly in the concrete industry, where it has shown promising results in terms of battery life and operational efficiency.
During the slump stand mixing process, the truck consumed an average of 1.5 per cent of its battery capacity, which is very negligible. When the truck is parked and idling, such as when waiting in a queue to unload at a concrete pump, it averaged less than one per cent of battery power per half hour.
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The truck has completed several full day’s work in the city of Melbourne, returning to the plant with an average 35 per cent battery charge remaining, which can then be recharged in four to five hours overnight.
The SANY eMixer’s 350-Kilowatt hour battery capacity, eight-hour average run time and CCS2 DC charging inlet contribute to a quiet, powerful and emission free design, which Bartlett says has been designed with optimal power and performance in mind.
“This truck’s mixer system is electric over hydraulic and operates through two individual motors,” Bartlett says. “By driving the hydraulic system through its own electrical motor (mPTO) and not a traditional Power Take Off Unit (PTO), we significantly reduce our power consumption while allowing us to tune the output RPM to achieve the most efficient hydraulic output to turn the barrel.
“From the hydraulic pump back, the truck is an Australian Manufactured, CESCO mixer unit, it was important for us to maintain a system that operators are familiar with, suited for dry mix requirements, and can be locally supported Australia-wide.”
The high quality CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited) Battery has also been designed and commissioned by one of China’s largest battery manufacturers and technology developers, and proven to perform. This design approach has proven to be more efficient and effective compared to using a single high-capacity motor to power both the drive and the mixing functions. Bartlett says working closely with the drivers to understand the capabilities and requirements has been crucial for the successful implementation of the technology, saying that the truck has been well-received by operators thus far.
Another key learning throughout the trial has been the need for accessible charging infrastructure. The higher upfront cost of electric machines, and the ongoing development of more efficient batteries are some of the hurdles the industry must address to fully realise the potential of electric machinery.
The SANY eMixer is compatible with current DC charging infrastructure, with SANY Oceania itself offering private charging infrastructure, in an effort to accelerate the rollout of a national electric vehicle charging network. Bartlett adds that it’s vital that the industry continues to conduct field trials and demonstrations with partners such as Holcim Australia, to showcase the capabilities and benefits of electric commercial vehicles.
“Our sustainability goals at Putzmeister Oceania align with many businesses in the industry,” Bartlett says. “Through our investment in completing ADR certification, localisation to the Australian requirements and partnering with leading Australian businesses to trial, we’ve been able to determine the benefits and applications where this technology will succeed.”
He adds that the project also exemplifies the strength, united goal and bond between SANY Oceania and Putzmeister Oceania, which is likely to lead to further developments in the electric machinery and equipment space.
“We’re leveraging Putzmeister’s reputation as a leading brand in concrete pumping machinery and intersecting with SANY’s global leadership in renewable energy and machine electrification. The SANY eMixer stands as a testament to innovation and sustainability,” he says.
“This collaboration brings together the best of both worlds, offering a cutting-edge solution that meets the growing demand for eco-friendly construction equipment.”
Future abound
Putzmeister Oceania plans to expand SANY’s electric product range, including larger excavators, wheel loaders, and even equipment for the mining industry, as it continues to prove the viability of electric technology in real-world trials.
For Bartlett, the chance to improve electric machinery and equipment options, for the betterment of the entire sector, is an enticing opportunity.
“Electric vehicles have been around for over 150 years, in various capacities. And it’s only really in the past 10 years that there’s been such a leap in battery technology to allow for this type of rapid development,” he says.
“The technology is only getting better. It’ll allow existing products to be revolutionised into the electrical space, where it’s needed, and where there’s a benefit.”
As the industry continues to adopt greener technologies, companies such as Putzmeister Oceania will be at the forefront of this transformation, providing the solutions needed to create a more sustainable future for construction. Now the organisation is putting the call out to industry to show its support for electric machinery, firstly by implementing plans for electric equipment use in projects Australia-wide, secondly by helping to accelerate the delivery of electric vehicle charging.
To learn more about SANY Oceania electric machinery and equipment offerings visit: www.sanyoceania.com.au
This article was originally published in the December edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.