More electric motors researched on construction sites
Researchers at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts are looking for ways to increase the number of electric vehicles and machines on urban construction sites. Pilot construction sites in three cities are intended to show the extent to which the switch to a lower-emission construction site routine can be realised.
A team of researchers at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences andArts (HSLU) is to investigate the possibilities for more electric motors on construction sites in a two-year research project. According to a press release, three e-pilot construction sites are to be set up in Lucerne, Basel and Zurich. The savings potential measured there will be compared with values on conventional construction sites that use diesel-powered machines and vehicles.
The researchers are interested in how smoothly an electrically powered fleet of machines and vehicles can be integrated into everyday construction site operations. The researchers point to the high potential for CO2 reduction and noise reduction, especially on construction sites. According to a preliminary study, cities as clients and construction companies showed great interest. According to estimates, 25 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are generated in the energy-intensive building sector in particular. Construction machinery and transport vehicles account for 2 per cent over the lifetime of a building.
Innosuisse, the Swiss Agency for Innovation Promotion, is supporting the research project with around CHF 435,000. Further support is coming from various players in the construction industry. A neutral online platform is to become a hub for the interest groups. Among other things, construction companies will be able to rent electric machines and vehicles there, making climate-neutral construction site technology available to small and medium-sized construction companies. The platform is also intended to provide access to partnership-based financing models for investments in electric construction machinery and transport vehicles.