In the March 2026 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research and authored by Guy Youngs, you’ll find articles on plug-in hybrid research, long-run tests of PV-powered refrigerated trailers, comparison tests of EV batteries, cutbacks in Bosch China operations, and the changing cost differential between Chinese and EU batteries. Read these articles and more in the March Alternative Power Report today. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
We talked with many industry representatives at CONEXPO, and we generally heard that the North American construction equipment market is performing relatively well and that it is expected to experience low single-digit growth in the near term, with demand remaining stable. Demand continues to be supported by infrastructure investment and ongoing construction activity.
OEM representatives said their cautious forecasts were affected by factors such as interest rates, inflation, tariffs and global supply chain disruptions.
Tariffs were repeatedly mentioned as one of the main uncertainties affecting the industry. Frequent policy changes are impacting equipment pricing, sourcing strategies, and global supply chains. Manufacturers are adjusting sourcing strategies and regional production to mitigate tariff exposure.
The industry is moving toward a dual technology pathway. Electrification continues emerging in compact equipment and adoption is increasing slowly as customers become more familiar with EV solutions. Advanced diesel engines remain dominant in medium and large machines, and according to experts, diesel will remain the dominant technology for a long time.
OEMs said they are investing heavily in new engine platforms, efficiency improvements, telematics and connectivity.
We were able to identify a number of trends, based on field interviews and observations conducted during OEM and engine manufacturer booth visits.
Powertrain, Engine Technology Trends
Diesel engines remain the dominant power solution for medium and large construction equipment. Large equipment used in remote areas still requires internal combustion engines due to power needs and operational constraints. According to interviews made by PSR, diesel will continue to be the preferred power solution.
Manufacturers continue to improve fuel efficiency, simplify engine architecture, and enhance durability. Manufacturers showcased different alternative power solutions and are still exploring and testing hydrogen combustion engines, hybrid systems, and introducing multi-fuel platforms (hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrogen, biodiesel, and natural gas) to the market.
Several companies presented prototype hydrogen engine concepts, although these technologies remain in testing phases or with some few customers. One of the key operational challenges for hydrogen equipment is the lack of fueling infrastructure. As an example, Power Systems Research analysts interviewed executives of JCB, and the company explained that its hydrogen combustion engine technology is already on the field with a limited number of customers, although the market is still at an early stage of deployment.
JCB has developed a mobile hydrogen refueling unit in conjunction with a supplier company that delivers hydrogen directly to job sites, so the fuel logistics is handled as part of a service package supporting early adopters. The main takeaway from the interview is that hydrogen combustion technology is technically viable but still constrained by fueling infrastructure.
Regarding multi-fuel platforms, major manufacturers like Perkins and Cummins showcased engines designed to run on low-carbon fuels, including hydrogen, HVO, and natural gas, aiming to provide flexible, lower-emission solutions without sacrificing performance. Cummins next generation X15, and Perkins 2600 Series were showcased at the venue. FPT showcased it´s multi-fuel XCursor 13. Isuzu also presented it´s multi-fuel engine concepts based on its established engine architecture.
Electrification Trends
Compact equipment segments show the highest experimentation with electrification and alternative power solutions, while large machines such as dozers and large excavators continue to rely primarily on diesel power due to high energy requirements.
Electrification is primarily being applied to compact equipment used in urban environments, as well as in some remote applications supported by portable power stations or battery storage units.
Battery-electric prototypes and electric power units were showcased, with some already available in the market and others currently being tested as potential replacements for diesel engines in smaller and medium-sized equipment.
There is a growing trend toward presenting these technologies, and several new models were introduced during the show by different OEMs and engine manufacturers. Examples include the Perkins battery-electric power unit, the Komatsu electric micro excavator PC01E-2 made in Japan, the JLG scissor lift ES1930M Micro-Sized, the mini track loader TL100EV from Case, and the Dynapac CC1000e electric vibratory roller.
Charging infrastructure and operational limitations continue to restrict wider adoption of electric equipment across the broader construction equipment market.
Additional technologies presented included autonomous and robotic equipment, such as the RogueX3, Bobcats third-generation autonomous compact loader concept. This machine was introduced to explore the future of compact construction equipment through electrification, autonomy, and modular machine architecture.
OEM & Engine Manufacturer Highlights
While walking the CONEXPO, we saw several interesting engine platforms and alternative power technologies at engine manufacturer booths. Interestingly, a number of the innovative products were diesel powered.
Diesel Engines
Manufacturer
Engine Model
Displacement
Power
Notes
Cummins
F3.8 Power Unit
3.8 L
74–173 hp
Modular power unit for off‑highway equipment
Cummins
X15 Next Generation
~15 L
Up to ~700 hp
Heavy‑duty multi-fuel engine platform
Perkins
904J‑E36TA
3.6 L
~134 hp
High power density compact diesel engine
Perkins
2606J‑E13TA
~13 L
~690 hp
Large industrial diesel engine platform and multi-fuel
In the February 2026 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research and authored by Guy Youngs, you’ll find articles on Tesla committing suicide by shifting away from auto productions, Germany’s new stance on hydrogen, new 4X power sodium-ion batteries, Europe’s hydrogen bus experiment, and Mercedes introducing a new solution to cut pollution. Read these articles and more in the February Alternative Power Report today. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
“The October 2025 special report from Germany’s Federal Audit Court, Implementation of the Federal Government’s Hydrogen Strategy, lands with unusual weight because it is not a policy critique or an academic intervention, but a statutory budgetary assessment delivered to Parliament,” reports Clean Technica.
It evaluates the hydrogen strategy against the legal requirements of the Energy Industry Act, namely security of supply, affordability, environmental sustainability, climate neutrality, and fiscal prudence, according to the article.
“Its conclusion,” notes the Clean Technica article, “is that the hydrogen strategy is not meeting these tests, despite US$ 5.1 billion (€4.3 billion) allocated in 2024, more than US$ 3.56 billion (€3 billion) in 2025, and multi-billion-euro commitments extending through the end of the decade.”
PSR Analysis: The audit report also refers to the current plan as implausible rather than ambitious and this makes one question how countries can invest tens of billions into infrastructure of an effectively unproven technology ecosystem, at least at this scale. One might think funding a decent but “very small scale trial” might be more prudent. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Leadat Power Systems Research
This Clean Technica article notes, “Arthur Bus’s collapse in Poland marks the end of a story that had been quietly unraveling for some time. A hydrogen bus startup backed by public funding, municipal orders, and a planned manufacturing footprint failed before delivering a single customer vehicle.
The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yanmar Power Solutions, and Japan Engine Corporation have announced the installation of new liquefied hydrogen fuel supply equipment for demonstration purposes, as well as the start of land-based operation of marine hydrogen engines.
This is part of a project commissioned by NEDO’s Green Innovation Fund/Next-Generation Ship Development Project. Three purely domestic engine manufacturers have formed a consortium: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yanmar Power Solutions, and Japan Engine.
In the December 2025 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research and authored by Guy Youngs, you’ll find articles on slowing EV Sales, hydrogen power, battery development, China’s shift from diesel powered trucks to electric, and Spain’s growing emphasis on hydrogen power. Read these articles and more in the December Alternative Power Report today. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
The European Commission’s latest funding decision for alternative fuels infrastructure landed with a strange twist. On paper, the bloc approved support for 38 new hydrogen refueling stations spread across the continent.
In practice, almost all of them are going to a single country. Spain secured roughly four out of five stations in this round, which puts it at the center of an infrastructure buildout that is moving in the opposite direction from the rest of Europe
The scale of the EU funding approval is substantial, with more than US$ 700 million (€600 million) committed across a wide range of projects that genuinely strengthen Europe’s transport decarbonization efforts
General Motors’ decision to end development of its next generation Hydrotec fuel cells for vehicles marked the close of a long, careful experiment. After years of research, pilot programs, and cautious optimism, GM finally acknowledged what the energy math had been showing for years: Hydrogen fuel cells are not a viable pathway for road transportation.
GM has been exploring hydrogen vehicles since 1966. GM framed its decision in practical terms. The company cited high costs, limited infrastructure, and low consumer demand. There are only about 60 hydrogen refueling stations in the United States.
In the November 2025 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research and authored by Guy Youngs, you’ll find articles on General Motors halting production of Hydrogen fuel cells; China develops all-solid-state EV batteries with 620 mile range; plummeting battery prices will push BEVs below parity soon, and Chinese battery breakthrough could extend lithium cell lifespan by 9,000 hours. Read these articles and more in the November Alternative Power Report today. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
CONEXPO Provides NA Market Outlook 
