SOUTHEAST ASIA CONSTRUCTION30 Apr 2022
Tadano to commercialise world’s first electric RT crane in 2023

Tadano has announced its plans to commercialise the world’s first electric rough-terrain crane. Currently in development, the machine will be able to drive to the jobsite and carry out all lifting operations using battery/electric, rather than diesel power to deliver zero-emissions operation.

Besides the environmental benefits, the electric motor of this rough-terrain crane will emit lower noise when operating. As such, customers can gain significant advantages when working in congested urban areas with noise ordinances, allowing them to complete lifting projects at night and operate indoors.

The company is currently working with a variety of industry suppliers and partners and targets commercialisation of the new electric rough-terrain crane in late 2023.

Operating more sustainably

In April 2021, Tadano announced its long-term environmental targets, which include 25% reduction in CO2 emissions from business activities and 35% reduction in CO2 emissions from product use by 2030, as well as achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Working towards these targets, the company has gathered all of its sustainable solutions under the name Tadano Green Solutions (TGS). Combined with lifting technology, the innovations introduced under TGS will contribute not only to sustainability but also to operating safety, quality and efficiency.

Introducing the world’s first electric powered rough-terrain crane is the next evolutionary step in meeting Tadano’s environmental targets.

Under the banner of TGS, electrification of the rough-terrain crane product line is one of the key efforts for lowering product emissions. Other mainstay TGS initiatives include the Tadano E-Pack and the ability of most cranes manufactured by Tadano in Europe to be operated with reduced-emissions fuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) without modification. 

Tadano’s innovative E-Pack solution is currently available in Europe, and soon it will be available in Japan. The E-Pack allows crane operation without starting the engine. This electrohydraulic system quickly connects to the crane to deliver the ultimate in zero-emission and low-noise operation. The E-Pack’s intelligent electric motor control system ensures efficient power use at a lower operating cost versus diesel-powered cranes.

“In the spirit of greater harmony, Tadano contributes to a better global environment as a part of the surrounding society. We have set aggressive goals for lowering both operational and product emissions, and we will partner with industry-leading companies to attain those goals,” said Toshiaki Ujiie, president, CEO and representative director of Tadano Ltd.

“In conjunction with previous product innovations to lower CO2 emissions, we are excited to introduce the first battery/electric rough-terrain crane, which will be a key driver for our goal of 35% reduction in product CO2 emissions by 2030.