written by Gabi Olpp

Is the electrification of mobile machines just a passing phenomenon?

Sustainability and urbanization are two megatrends that will continue to promote mobile machines' electrification and efficiency. Electrified mobile machines contribute to CO2 reduction. For economical operation, electrically driven machines must be reliable, responsive, and persistent, without tedious recharging. The operating company also demands low noise emissions and low maintenance costs with high energy efficiency. Electric and hybrid drives place new demands on the working hydraulics. The demand for innovative hydraulic solutions will increase in the upcoming decades.

New legislation on exhaust emissions, especially in major cities, will soon require a change in thinking and concrete actions.

Current Challenges

  • Reducing CO2 emissions in the EU by at least 60% (by 2030) 1)
  • Reducing energy needs and using renewable energies, see "Energy Efficiency Strategy 2050" of the German Federal Government 2)
  • "Zero-emission" as a goal for a positive ecological footprint
Reduction of CO2 emissions, EU climate targets and measures
Reduction of CO2 emissions, EU climate targets and measures

Into the electric future with Bucher Hydraulics

Being a strong partner, we support our customers with innovative and efficient system solutions for the electrification of mobile machines. We work hand in hand with our customers at every stage of product development and offer well-matched, efficient system components.

The key issue

Smart electrohydraulics as a success factor - more efficiency with perfect working hydraulics

The electrification of mobile machinery's primary focus is often on the traction drive.  There is a risk that the application-specific large energy-saving potential of working hydraulics is often overlooked.

Classic hydraulic drive and control solutions for mobile machines are often not designed for efficiency but primarily to reduce initial costs, offering energy-saving potential of up to 60%.

The following advantages are offered to the machine manufacturer with coordinated system components:

  • New application possibilities thanks to reduced noise emissions
  • Cost-saving potential for batteries due to the reduced energy demand of the working hydraulics
  • Greater range and longer operating times with the same battery size
  • High energy efficiency and long service life as the basis for successful electrification
  • Positive impacts on operating costs

All these points have a positive effect on life cycle costs.

Optimized hydraulics as a key success factor for electrified machines

Machinery manufacturers often start with the drive train when electrifying their vehicles. The electric motor, power electronics, and a battery system replace the combustion engine, transmission, and tank. The potential for optimizing the working hydraulics is often ignored and the existing hydraulic architecture is taken over from the combustion engine vehicle - with all its disadvantages.

Adapting the working hydraulics to the new requirements opens up new possibilities for the electric vehicle: The higher energy efficiency enables the installation of a smaller battery or a longer range for the vehicle.

Quiet machines enable new application possibilities

Without a diesel engine, the working hydraulics often come to the foreground acoustically. Speed-controlled drives and quiet hydraulic pumps are capable of significantly reducing the noise emissions of electrified working machines. This enables new application possibilities, particularly in noise-sensitive residential areas and at night.

New opportunities to automate processes

Perfectly tuned electrohydraulic controls can be precisely activated and easily integrated into the machine concept. Whether and to what extent it makes sense to invest in modern hydraulics depends on the specific application and the market positioning of the machine manufacturer.

Read the full article about the Decentralized Linear Drive – HELAX

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