The US-Israeli attack on Iran, and Iran’s retaliation has caused a massive rise in the costs of petrol and diesel. In the UK, petrol is up around 30% and diesel is up around 50%. In the USA, average gas prices were up by 33% in early April
There seems to be a never ending cycle of oil-related problems. In 2008, supply, demand and speculation caused a massive price hike. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine causing another oil price hike. And now, the US-Israeli attack on Iran has driven yet another price hike. The fundamental problem is that transportation remains totally dependent on oil, and oil prices are set by a very volatile global market.
Volvo Construction Equipment has officially transitioned the A30 Electric and A40 Electric articulated haulers into serial production at its Braås site in Sweden. Originally unveiled as prototypes at bauma 2025, these machines represent the largest electric articulated haulers currently available on the global market, boasting payloads of 29 and 39 tons, respectively.
Designed for high-utilization environments like large-scale infrastructure projects and mining, the haulers offer up to six hours of operation on a single charge, depending on the application. The first production units are scheduled for delivery to customers in the United Kingdom and Norway this month.
This move solidifies Volvo’s commitment to lead the heavy-duty transition, moving beyond compact machines into the most energy-intensive segments of the construction industry.
Yanmar Power Solutions is advancing the development of engines that are compatible with next-generation fuels. In anticipation of future increased production volumes of marine and land-based engines, the company has acquired a site in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture.
The new plant will be used to conduct test runs of marine hydrogen engines and to reorganize and strengthen production capabilities, including those of existing plants. The new plant is scheduled to begin operations about March 2029.
In the marine industry, there are ongoing efforts to develop and commercialize decarbonization technologies with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Leveraging its expertise in engine development and production, Yanmar Power Solutions plans to develop powertrains compatible with next-generation fuels, including hydrogen, methanol and ammonia, and establish production systems to support them.
In response to the growing adoption of electric construction equipment, HD Construction Equipment has introduced South Korea’s first safety management certification system for high-voltage systems. The system is designed to educate specialists in maintaining and inspecting high-voltage batteries and electrical systems in electric excavators and other machinery.
Recognizing that the expansion of electric construction equipment requires addressing safety risks that differ from those of conventional diesel machines, the company has developed educational programs and a certification system. Certified individuals receive specialized training in handling high-voltage equipment, troubleshooting, and maintenance operations.
The company positions this initiative as part of the infrastructure development required for the expansion of the electric construction equipment market. HD Construction Equipment plans to continue fostering relevant talent and strengthening its service infrastructure.
PSR Analysis: I think this initiative shows that South Korean construction equipment manufacturers are starting to see electrification as more than just product development. They view it as an “operation-oriented industrial infrastructure” that includes service systems and workforce development.
Electric construction machinery requires high-voltage batteries and electrical systems, so it demands different maintenance skills than conventional diesel machines. Against this backdrop, manufacturers’ move to establish a certification system reflects their intention to establish electrification in the market as a total solution that includes operation and maintenance, not as a standalone product.
In this regard, South Korean manufacturers’ approach appears to differ from that of their European and American counterparts. In Europe and the United States, service systems based on existing dealer networks are well-established, and efforts regarding electric construction machinery proceed as an extension of these frameworks.
In contrast, Korean manufacturers are proactively establishing certification systems and training programs to address the new risks associated with electrification. This proactive approach effectively mitigates operational uncertainties during the initial stages of electrification, potentially providing a competitive advantage, especially in regions with underdeveloped service infrastructure. PSR
Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia, at Power Systems Research
Schwing Stetter has started automated production of concrete mixer trucks in Brazil, implementing new manufacturing technologies to increase productivity, quality consistency and operational efficiency.
The initiative includes automation systems across assembly processes and aims to strengthen the company’s local manufacturing footprint in response to demand in the construction sector. The move supports domestic supply capability and aligns with broader industry trends toward digitalization and advanced manufacturing in heavy equipment production.
PSR Analysis. The investment in automation reflects the Chinese-German company’s belief in South America Construction Equipment, as it gains productivity and brings cost optimization. Benefits include improved scalability and quality control, though returns depend on sustained construction activity and fleet renewal cycles.
The project is in an expansion stage, with competitiveness linked to localization levels and supply chain resilience. With the investment, capacity should reach 480 units per year. PSR
Exported from Brazil, Mercedes-Benz Axor Debuts in Argentina Mercedes-Benz has introduced the Axor heavy duty truck in Argentina, supplied from its Brazilian manufacturing base. The model targets long haul and regional freight applications and expands the brand’s portfolio in the Argentine market, leveraging Mercosur trade integration.
The launch occurs amid a challenging macroeconomic environment in Argentina, with demand shaped by currency volatility and restricted financing conditions. The Axor strengthens Mercedes-Benz’s regional product strategy by aligning Brazilian production with export demand across South America.
PSR Analysis. The Axor launch highlights continued reliance on Brazil as a regional manufacturing hub for heavy duty trucks within Mercosur. Market penetration will depend on Argentina’s macro stabilization and freight sector recovery, while currency risks remain a structural constraint. The move supports capacity utilization in Brazil and reinforces cross border supply chain integration. Competitive pressure will center on pricing, financing availability and operating cost efficiency in a constrained transportation market. PSR
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
1,300 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Golf Cars expected to be produced in North America during 2026.
Dumpers/Tenders are vehicles designed for carrying bulk material, often on building sites. Dumpers are distinguished from dump trucks by configuration: a dumper is usually an open 4-wheeled vehicle with the load skip in front of the driver, while a dump truck has its cab in front of the load.
The Indonesian Heavy Equipment Distributors Association (PAABI) forecasts an expansion in construction machinery demand in 2026, with a potential total of 23,000 to 25,000 units. This represents an estimated growth of 5% to 8% compared to 2025, with a projected total market size of around US$3.62 billion.
According to the PAABI Chairman, the increase in demand in 2026 will be driven by the nation’s Strategic Infrastructure Projects (PSN), the ongoing construction of the new capital, IKN, and mining activities at major nickel and coal sites. These projects are expected to increase demand for heavy machinery, such as hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, and bulldozers.
In China this year, green construction machinery is seeing rapid growth, and demand across multiple scenarios is becoming unmistakable. EVE Energy is delivering full-scenario solutions for earthmoving equipment, aerial work platforms and specialized machinery. After six years of shipments in the construction-machinery segment, EVE Energy now ranks second nationwide; individual vehicles have logged more than 16,000 operating hours, and the company’s products are fitted to over 60 OEMs including LiuGong, SANY and Lingong.
According to data from the Construction Machinery Association, domestic sales of new-energy construction equipment are expected to surpass one million units by 2028, and the incremental market for green machinery is opening up rapidly—yet pain points remain: bulky batteries, short cycle life and complex assembly.
In October 2025, LiuGong Indonesia, the Indonesian subsidiary of the Chinese construction machinery manufacturer LiuGong, signed a memorandum of understanding regarding its investment plan for an industrial zone. The new factory in Karawang, which is expected to begin operations in 2026, will have an annual production capacity of 5,000 units and will require a total investment of $317 million. The factory will incorporate AGVs, MES and a dedicated R&D center for electric construction machinery, advancing the adoption of advanced technologies.
Through partnerships with local suppliers, the company aims to increase its TKDN (local content requirement) and achieve certification within five years. Products will be exported to the domestic market, as well as to Southeast Asia, Australia and North America, with an expected annual foreign exchange earnings effect of $40 million. LiuGong views this investment as a contribution to strengthening Indonesia’s heavy equipment industry ecosystem and supporting sustainable development.
CONEXPO Provides NA Market Outlook 
