Bauma, one of the world’s leading trade fairs for construction and mining machines, equipment, and vehicles, was held last month in Munich as the off-road industry is faced with challenges and uncertainties. The 2025 edition of the triennial event demonstrated what the industry is capable of, providing a stage for pioneering innovations and new partnerships, with industry heavyweights displaying their best solutions.
“We hosted around 600,000 visitors from more than 200 countries and regions,” said Stefan Rummel, CEO of Messe München, the event’s host.” Adding to those impressive numbers were around 3600 exhibitors from 57 nations.
While billed as an international event with “significant growth among visitors from abroad,” the event’s news was dominated by local German and, to a lesser extent, European companies. This year’s gathering focused on the sustainable operation of construction machinery and construction sites with the latest drive systems and energy storage solutions.
Here, we focus on a few of the new energy vehicle global debuts from the local construction and mining vehicle titans on full display.
Liebherr ‘Hands on the future’
As a leading company in the German off-road vehicle industry, the Liebherr Group typically has a big presence, and this year was no exception.
“At Bauma, we showcased a number of important future topics such as drive technology and autonomy,” said Steffen Günther, a member of the Board of Directors of Liebherr-International AG. “For us, Bauma is much more than just a trade fair—it is the platform where the future of the industry is made tangible. My personal highlight was our bauma motto: ‘Hands on the future’. For us, this is not just a phrase, but an attitude; one that was also well received by our customers.”
At its exhibition area spanning over 15,000 m², the Group presented future-oriented solutions for increased efficiency, safety, and environmental compatibility with 100 machine exhibits, components, and technologies as well as a varied program of live shows on Liebherr Square, an InnovationLab, theme pavilions, and a career lounge.
“We are actively shaping the future of the construction site by creating solutions that offer sustainable added value for our customers,” said Stephen Albrecht, Managing Director Technology and Digitalisation of Liebherr-International AG.
With two key new energy machines, Liebherr pitched itself as a partner in developing customized solutions in collaboration with customers.
The battery-electric, autonomous T 264 E mining truck, with a payload of 240 t, features a battery system developed by the Australian mining customer Fortescue that enables both static and dynamic charging. For dynamic charging, the mining truck connects to a Liebherr lateral power rail while moving for an automatic supply of energy. This means the machine can work without interruption, significantly increasing the efficiency of the mining operation.
Liebherr and Fortescue are jointly developing mining machines for emissions-free and autonomous mining work by 2030. The industry has long been dependent on fossil fuels, but now this partnership is paving the way for a new era of eco-friendly and more efficient mining. Fortescue’s contribution to this cooperation is a battery-electric system and its expertise in autonomy.
In the largest order in Liebherr’s history, 475 of its machines will be sent to Fortescue’s mines in Australia as part of the partnership. All three machine models covered by this cooperation could be seen live at Bauma 2025.
Following many years of research, Liebherr says that hydrogen drives have proven themselves to be the best technology for heavy vehicles.
In cooperation with Strabag, Liebherr had an exhibition premiere with the L 566 H, the first large wheel loader with a hydrogen engine. The machine is currently being tested in the Kanzelsteinbruch quarry in Gratkorn, Austria, including refuelling with green hydrogen via an on-site filling station.
In addition to the hydrogen wheel loaders, the partners are collaborating with Maximator Hydrogen on solutions for mobile filling stations that can supply hydrogen construction machines with fuel on-site. According to Liebherr, this is an important project because the company not only wants to provide its customers with machines, but also, where possible, provide or recommend the corresponding infrastructure.
Mercedes-Benz electric Arocs
Mercedes-Benz Trucks announced the first battery-electric variant of its Arocs series workhorse for the construction industry. A small series of 150 vehicles per year is currently planned for the eArocs 400 for select EU30 markets. The start of sales is scheduled for the 1st quarter of 2026, and the first delivery is in the 3rd quarter of 2026.
“With the new eArocs 400, we are now also bringing electrification to the construction industry, which is particularly important for our economy and society,” said Achim Puchert, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “Following the distribution and long-haul transport, we are continuing to expand our product range of battery-electric trucks. Now, it is crucial that policymakers promote the development of the charging infrastructure and create the necessary framework conditions for the economic operation of these vehicles.”
The vehicle will initially be available as 32- and 41-ton variants in the 8×4 axle configuration with four different wheelbases, and can be built as a concrete mixer or construction tipper to cover street-oriented construction transport applications. It can enter low- and zero-emission zones in inner-city areas and is suitable for noise-sensitive environments such as residential areas, hospitals, schools, and kindergartens as well as night-time construction sites due to its low noise emissions.
For the eArocs 400, engineers adopted essential components from the on-road eActros 600. In addition to the front box and the power takeoff, this included batteries with LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry that feature high durability and capacity.
Due to its significantly higher efficiency, the eArocs 400 is at least 50% more energy-efficient than a comparable diesel truck. It has an 800-V electrical system and two battery packs with 414 kW·h capacity located in a tower behind the driver’s cab.
The range in concrete mixer configuration is up to 200 km based on internal simulations without intermediate charging. Customers typically drive in single-shift operation, cover average daily routes of less than 100 km, and travel almost exclusively on paved roads.
With the construction tipper variant, the eArocs 400’s range increases to as much as 240 km without intermediate charging. It can be charged at up to 400 kW via a standard CCS2 charging socket mounted on both sides of the vehicle, the two battery packs needing about 45 min to charge from 20% to 80%.
The eArocs 400 is fitted with a central motor producing 380 kW continuous and 450 kW peak power and a three-speed transmission. The electric powertrain is integrated into vehicles produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth by the Paul Group based in Vilshofen. In combination with carryover planetary axles, the Arocs continues to offer the ground-clearance and off-road capability required for construction site deployment.
At Bauma, Mercedes-Benz Trucks presented an eArocs 400 with the HTM 905 mixer body in the lightweight design from Liebherr with hydraulic drum drive. CIFA parent company Zoomlion had a variant with its all-electric E10 mixer.
Volvo ‘world-first’ electric articulated haulers
European powerhouse Volvo Construction Equipment introduced the world’s first serial-produced battery-electric articulated haulers of their size class. With a payload of 29 and 39 ton, respectively, the A30 Electric and A40 Electric are now among the largest in the company’s electric portfolio.
The two new machines match the same off-road performance as conventional models with zero emissions for a range of segments, including quarrying, mining, and construction. They are said to signal the start of a new electric range, helping customers move towards zero-emission operation, with availability for select customers in Europe from 2026.
The new e-haulers come to market 60 years after Volvo CE pioneered the articulated hauler segment and shortly after the company’s unveiling of a new generation of conventional models. They are part of the company’s largest product portfolio renewal in decades, the makeover bringing 35% of the range improved productivity, safety, and fuel efficiency.
“These electric haulers mark a major step forward in our ambition to decarbonize construction, combining the same unbeatable performance our customers know and love, with a more sustainable operation,” said Mats Sköldberg, Head of Technology for Volvo CE, of “the world’s first battery-powered articulated haulers of their size class.”
When powered by renewable energy, the machines offer a CO2 saving of 84% for the A30 Electric and 90% for the A40 Electric across their lifecycle compared to their diesel equivalents. Ideal applications include downhill load carrying and uphill empty runs, tunnel work, quarries, and underground operations where emissions reduction is critical. Electric operation ensures a more comfortable work environment thanks to near silence and less vibration, with the lack of tailpipe emissions improving air quality for those nearby.
The haulers’ lithium-ion batteries are designed to offer a 4.0- to 4.5 h runtime across most applications, though high-energy jobs may require more frequent recharging. They can even enjoy a runtime of up to 7 h, depending on driving conditions. Fast charging from 20% to 80% in around 1 h is made possible when using a DC charging solution with a maximum charging capacity of 350 kW.
Operators can stay updated by checking charging status, machine hours, and energy consumption using Volvo CE’s My Equipment app, whether on site or remotely. Haul Assist adds a set of tools designed to get even more productivity and efficiency from a Volvo Articulated Hauler for peak productivity, reduced energy consumption, and less machine wear.
Scania sustainability for OEM customers
Scania aimed to show how it is driving the shift to a future of sustainable construction and mining, showcasing new battery-electric, hybrid, and gas-powered solutions along with its range of fuel-efficient power solutions, robust trucks, and integrated digital services.
Among the highlights was the battery-electric BEV XT Tipper, specifically in R 400E B6X4 NA specification. The front features a 9000 kg axle and parabolic suspension; the rear has two 9500 kg axles and air suspension for a comfortable driving experience. The truck features an EM C1-4 (electric machine with a four-speed gearbox) with a high gear ratio, which is more energy efficient and lighter than the EM C3-6.
The truck is offered in 270, 300, 330, 360, and 400 kW. It can accelerate quickly, even with a GTW up to 74 ton. Installed battery capacity is 416 kWh, with a state of charge window of 83%, giving 345 kWh usable energy and a range of around 300 km. More battery capacity options are available depending on the operation for longer range or higher payload.
The company also introduced new hybrid and all-electric power solutions for industrial segment customers in mining and construction.
“Scania can now provide the tools needed to solve materials transport without emissions,” said Stefano Fedel, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing at Scania. “An increasing number of tenders for materials transport in infrastructure and building projects include demands or incentives for zero-emission vehicles. Already today, many European cities have zero-emission zones, and the number is increasing.”
More so than other vehicle makers, Scania pitched its wares for the supply of other vehicle makers at Bauma. The company said it will start offering an in-house developed system combining an e-machine and battery pack with an internal combustion engine for parallel hybrid operation, along with a master power control unit, e-machine, inverter, and batteries. It says that customers benefit from its modular-based solution from a single supplier, which allows easy integration, tailored fit, and services for their specific operations, spanning a wide range of applications in the industrial segment.
The low noise levels in electric mode make it ideal for use in cities and better for operators, while hybrid mode also provides possibilities for extra power and range when needed. The parallel features of the e-machine and battery pack align with Scania’s focus on low-carbon solutions such as hybrid power, alternative fuels, and fuel-efficient combustion engines.
“We understand our customers’ need for flexibility depending on the type of application, and that’s why they can choose tailored solutions from ICE, gas, and battery-electric technologies to match their requirements, without sacrificing robustness, uptime, or overall operational efficiency,” said Fedel. “As the industrial segment goes through this period of rapid transformation, Scania is there to support our customers by giving them the right tools to respond to the challenges and thrive.”
The e-machine’s integrated clutch not only allows it to be used as a hybrid solution but also as a fully electric solution, aiming to make the future transition to full electrification a seamless process.
“We are committed to helping our customers with their sustainability transformation,” said Björn Winblad, Director for e-Mobility Solutions at Scania Power Solutions. “And with Scania’s existing knowledge of electrification from the truck, bus, and marine applications and the modular nature of our offering, we have a strong range of solutions that are diverse and adaptable for the many applications in the wider industrial sector.”
One of those applications, announced at Bauma, is a partnership with Cometto on a fully electric self-propelled modular trailer (SPMT) for moving large goods powered by Scania. The high-torque, modular-based solution was designed for use in a variety of heavy industries such as wind, energy, aviation and space, industrial plant relocation, and mechanical and plant engineering.
After using Scania internal combustion engines in its products for many years, it is the first SPMT with an electric powerpack unit from Cometto. Scania’s investment in R&D and its electrification roadmap were said to make it a good partner for Cometto’s electrification journey.
“While we have successfully developed electric and hybrid solutions for special applications in the past, we chose Scania for our standardized SPMTs because their full solution integrates seamlessly into our powerpacks, ensuring top performance and efficiency,” said Adrian Zingan, Product Manager, Cometto.
The all-electric SPMT already has a customer. After Bauma, one will be delivered to Mammoet, the world’s largest heavy-lifting company.
