TRENDS
tion of heavy equipment could change the industry more than any other sustainable effort in construction. With the rapid advancement in battery technology, the shift toward electric-powered construction equipment is not only possible and necessary, but now also practical.
Even now, companies like Caterpillar and Volvo are producing electric excavators, loaders and compactors that are designed to run on clean energy. These machines produce zero emissions, reduce noise pollution and lower operating costs. ConExpo predicts that 2025 will see a more widespread adoption of electric machinery, more on-site charging stations and improved battery life.
Once only existing in the world of science fiction, autonomous machines have been on the rise in recent years. These driverless machines are equipped with advanced sensors, GPS and artificial intelligence( AI)-driven systems that reduce human error, fuel consumption and material waste while simultaneously lowering overall production costs.
Sustainability in construction isn’ t just about the machinery; it’ s also about how the energy is managed
Volvo: Leading the Charge in Sustainable Equipment Manufacturing
Volvo is a leading manufacturer in heavy equipment, particularly through its“ Volvo CE”( Construction Equipment) division. Volvo’ s leadership in the goal to provide a sustainable future for upcoming generations was made evident in 2022 when it captured the industry’ s attention with its initial rollout of a growing range of battery-powered machines.
Its first entrant into this field was the ECR25 Electric compact excavator. That was followed the next year by the second generation ECR 25 Electric and the L25 Electric compact wheel loader. In 2024, Volvo unveiled its first midsize excavator model, the EC55 Electric Excavator. In addition, Volvo’ s EC300E Hybrid Excavator is able to deliver diesel power when needed for jobs where the demands are too high for battery-power alone.
As well as its investments in leading the industry shift to electrification, Volvo is also focused on other areas of machine design to maximize environmental performance. For example, they are using biocomposites made from plantbased fibers to produce their machine panels. These not only help make the manufacturing more sustainable, but they reduce overall weight which improves fuel economy and helps to enhance end-of-life recyclability.
In addition, Volvo CE’ s Co-Pilot technology helps to automate and reduce waste created during digging, loading and hauling operations.
on-site.
It is predicted that smart energy-management systems will become a big part of construction projects in 2025. Using technology like the Internet of Things( IoT) devices, advanced sensors and data analytics to track energy consumption across the jobsite, will help to monitor and optimize energy use in real time; they will provide insights into determining how and where efficiency can
Hydrogen fuel cell engines provide clean energy for industrial and heavy equipment.
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Telecom & Utility Construction | Fall 2025