Conventional diesel remains the fuel of choice in the construction industry, and engine and equipment manufacturers have made significant strides in improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. That said, alternative energy sources such as battery-electric, renewable diesel, natural gas and hydrogen continue to play an increasingly important role in the construction industry’s move toward low-carbon and zero-emissions power.
“At the end of the day, construction firms need to keep projects on schedule and on budget,” said Dana Wuesthoff, show director for CONEXPO-CON/AGG. “Construction companies are also interested in finding practical ways to reduce their carbon footprint. The variety of construction equipment that can run on electric power and other alternative energy sources continues to grow, giving contractors more viable options to advance their sustainability initiatives without compromising productivity.”
An easier way to electrify
Battery-electric is perhaps the most common alternative energy source at the moment, particularly for compact construction machinery such as skid steers and compact wheel loaders. Zero emissions, reduced noise levels and lower operating costs are all appealing benefits for construction firms. On the other hand, concerns about battery reliability and charging infrastructure have been among the key barriers to adoption. Another concern has been the higher upfront purchase cost of electric construction equipment.
Some recent innovations are seeking to address that.
Moog Construction, for example, has developed an electrification suite to help manufacturers electrify construction equipment. Moog’s patent-pending Adaptive Electrification Management System eliminates the need for several separate electrical boxes connected by cables. Nate Keller, business development manager, says this more streamlined approach, which uses a bus bar, delivers 30 per cent cost savings on electronics and a 50 per cent reduction in parts count.
Aside from electrifying their primary jobsite construction equipment, there are other ways construction firms can use battery power to lower operating costs and their carbon footprint. Support equipment such as air compressors is a good place to start migrating away from diesel. For example, VMAC has developed a battery-electric rotary screw air compressor that provides 45 minutes of runtime at full output. According to Jomo Green, VMAC’s vice president of sales and marketing, it’s ideal for next-generation service trucks operating in urban and regulated environments.
Manufacturers are also finding that they don’t have to electrify entire pieces of equipment to start lowering their carbon footprint. For example, Hitek Equipment, manufacturer of the Pavijet minipaver attachment for skid steers and loaders, has developed a new model that features an electric-heated screed instead of the typical propane-heated screed. The best part is that the electric power is generated by the loader itself.
“This provides a little more energy independence to the paving operation,” said Tyler Wiese, sales consultant at Hitek.
One engine, several fuel types
As previously mentioned, conventional diesel remains the fuel of choice in the construction industry. However, alternative fuel types are beginning to emerge. One of the industry’s leading manufacturers of diesel engines is getting ahead of that trend.
Cummins’ Next-Gen X15 Off-highway engine made its U.S. debut at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026. The engine builds on Cummins’ HELM fuel-agnostic platform, making it easier for equipment owners to transition to alternative fuels on their own schedule. HELM engines share a common base engine block with common installation and integration points. The cylinder heads and fuel systems are tailored for different fuel types, such as diesel, natural gas and hydrogen. Thus, if a user wants to begin using an alternative fuel in the future, they can continue using their Next- Gen X15 engine by simply adapting the components located above the block.
“All of this leads to more uptime, better efficiency and less cost to operate,” said Mariana Pivetta, global market director for the offhighway segment of Cummins’ engine business unit. For construction firms conscious of both their carbon footprint and bottom line, that kind of flexibility can help knock down barriers to alternative fuel adoption, one step at a time.
