Features Autonomous Equipment & Battery Power Equipment Landscaping
Embracing electric for sustainability in heavy landscaping equipment

In recent years, a shift has begun toward the adoption of electric equipment. This shift is not only a response to the pressing need for more environmentally friendly options, but also a strategic move to leverage the many benefits that electric technology offers.

While landscapers and turf managers have had electric options for handheld tools and lower horsepower machines like mowers for years, fully electric, battery-powered heavy equipment like compact wheel loaders and excavators is still new.

As the industry navigates this transition, the equipment and charging solution manufacturers want to help you make the best decisions possible. Let’s look at some of the reasons to consider electric equipment, how to incorporate it into your fleet, and what actual users are already up to.

Reducing emissions Is no longer optional
As stricter emissions regulations become more prevalent, we all feel the push to reduce our carbon footprints. There are also a growing number of private companies with their own sustainability goals and voluntary carbon reduction programs that your organization may participate in.

Electric heavy equipment is a viable solution that’s available now; and by making the switch today, you can meet current standards and be ready for whatever comes tomorrow.

The benefits are undeniable
Advancements in battery technology and electric motors have propelled electric heavy equipment into the landscaping industry. Here’s what that means for you:

Cost savings: One of the most compelling reasons to consider electric equipment is the potential for some serious savings on its total cost of ownership. No fuel costs and greatly reduced maintenance costs can significantly offset the initial investment. You may also be able to leverage tax incentives and grants that promote eco-friendly practices. And, because the tech is still new and different, many manufacturers are offering flexibility in how to acquire these machines – more on that later.

Impressive performance: As you probably know, compact excavators and wheel loaders are useful in grading, digging, loading material and much more. The ability to get more work done than you could with handheld tools is a huge advantage that can win jobs and reduce injuries. And if those machines are electric, that advantage only grows.

If you’re worried that electric machines won’t be as powerful as diesel, you’re wasting energy (pun intended). The specs of many compact electric machines are nearly identical to those of their diesel equivalents. Plus, they provide instant torque, so there is no delay like you might feel on a diesel machine. This consistent power output ensures reliable operation, helping you tackle demanding tasks with ease and precision.

Caring for the environment: The most obvious advantage of electric heavy machinery is the elimination of emissions and fumes. Minimizing noise pollution is also beneficial in sensitive environments like parks and golf courses. People nearby will hardly notice electric machines on the job, and workers can easily talk over them. The lower noise and vibration have made a lot of operators happier because they are less fatigued at the end of the day.

Charging and maintenance considerations
Charging is admittedly where there is the most room for improvement, but it’s not as bad as you might think.

If you’re able to plug in at the machine’s home base, the best choice is a 240-volt, Level 2 AC setup, which is the same as for electric cars. It’s also fine to charge on a standard household outlet, but it will take quite a bit longer. Think of it like filling your car with gas – it goes much faster with a fuel pump than with a small gas can.

There are also portable options like off-board DC fast chargers and solar-powered chargers if you need to take the power source to the machine instead of the other way around. These solutions are getting better and more prevalent every day.

As for how long a charge will last, it depends on what you’re doing. If you’re doing tougher work like cutting and grading, you may need a quick charge at lunch. If you’re using the machine intermittently or in lighter applications, a charge can probably last all day.

A major perk to keep in mind is that electric machines do not idle. When the operator pauses (for example, to wait for someone to put in a tree they just dug a hole for), the machine turns off, saving battery life.

With diesel equipment, operating time is defined by the engine runtime, and a lot of those hours are counted while the machine is idle. So, an eight-to-10-hour workday on a diesel machine accumulates the full eight to 10 hours, while an electric machine would only add the fraction of those hours that it’s actually in use.

Another key comparison with diesel machines: much simpler maintenance. For one thing, DEF and filters are not needed. Essentially, all you need is grease and hydraulic oil. This is much different than a conventional machine that requires fluid, filter and component checks as often as every day, with additional cyclical preventive fluid and filter maintenance.

There is no difference in the maintenance of non-electric components like hydraulic pumps and hoses. However, before performing maintenance on the non-electrical components, a risk assessment process is required, just like it is for the electrical components.

Overall, the lifetime of battery-electric components should be equal to or better than that of the diesel engine on a conventional machine. My company conservatively estimates that users will see a 35 per cent savings in maintenance costs and time over the life of the machines we offer. And warranties for electric components can provide extra peace of mind.

Exploring your options
The best advice when considering incorporating electric equipment into your operation is to look beyond the sticker price, because the total cost of ownership helps make up for a higher-priced machine. Lower maintenance costs and fewer operating hours mean reduced wear and tear and preservation of residual value. Plus, there’s the value of being able to do work you couldn’t do before if noise or emissions were a problem.

That all applies most directly to buying, but there are other routes you can go:

Renting is often a cost-effective solution for short-term projects or seasonal demands. This also allows you to test out the equipment before making long-term commitments, and you can rent various types of charging equipment to see what works best for your specific situation.

Leasing offers flexibility in equipment upgrades and mitigates risk. Perhaps you aren’t sure if it will be the right fit, or you worry there may be advances in the near future that you’ll want to switch to. If you finance with companies that understand the machines and how they’re used (like the manufacturer), they can help put together the right package. Ideally, that would also include maintenance, a warranty and charging solutions. Just keep in mind that when you lease equipment, you don’t build equity, which means you won’t have an asset to sell or trade in when you no longer need it.

Real-world examples
If you’re the type that needs to “see it to believe it,” here is a relevant use case.

An example was at the Toronto Zoo. The team there used an electric compact excavator to do some work inside a bison enclosure, which usually agitates the animals to the point that they begin to cry out. Because the machine was so quiet, the operator was able to work for three hours without irritating the bison.

Lars Arnold is product manager, sustainable power, for Volvo Construction Equipment.