A recent report from Research and Markets shows the global off-highway electric vehicle market size is expected to reach $42.70 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 31.7% during the forecast period.

The report indicates that stringent emission regulations by government agencies, such as emission standards for Greenhouse Gas emissions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and European Commission, are driving the demand for off-highway EVs worldwide. Factors such as lower noise levels and vibrations, lower overhaul cost, and improved efficiency of these vehicles are further contributing to their demand.

Electrically-propelled equipment offers advantages such as enhanced overall efficiency and accuracy and high maneuverability during operations. The electrification of off-highway vehicles provides multiple benefits; nonetheless, its penetration in the market is expected to be slow owing to factors such as inadequate charging infrastructure and limited storage capacity of batteries. The limitations of electrically-propelled equipment have provided an advantage to hybrid off-highway electric vehicles, which are considered a feasible option, the report states.

However, the high cost associated with the development of these vehicles is restricting their growth in the market. Furthermore, the electrification of the powertrain for an off-highway vehicle is under the radar owing to the possibilities of noise generation and diesel-powered engine emissions. Off-highway vehicles, including agriculture, mining, and construction equipment, are being electrified for better performance, emission control and reliability.

In the construction equipment segment, most light-duty vehicles, such as small wheel loaders and small excavators, are battery electric vehicles. Light-duty construction equipment needs less power and a smaller battery compared to large equipment. Various equipment manufacturers, including Caterpillar, Komatsu Ltd., and Volvo CE, are offering larger loaders and wheel excavators in hybrid variants.

In the mining sector, off-highway electric vehicles are used for decreasing the exhaust emission inside the mines. Moreover, the concept of electrification is predominant in the agriculture sector as the equipment can be integrated with Artificial Intelligence and the cost of ownership of the equipment is low.