Building material supplier Holcim Australia has partnered with machinery provider Putzmeister Oceania to trial the first ADR-approved and road-registered electric concrete truck mixer Down Under.
Holcim says the innovative SANY eMixer, provided by Putzmeister, represents a significant leap forward in the construction industry’s journey towards a carbon-neutral construction site.
“At Holcim, our commitment to sustainability is embedded in our core strategy and drives us to continuously improve and innovate,” said Holcim Australia & New Zealand Head of Sustainability, Cyril Giraud.
“Working in partnership with our suppliers to reduce carbon emissions across our transportation and logistics can go a long way in helping us reach our sustainability goals.”
To meet local requirements, Putzmeister Oceania partnered with the experts at Cesco Australia to manufacture an Australian-made mixer structure on a SANY SY408P Electric Chassis, integrated with locally designed and accepted controls. The outcome is a 100 percent electric, globally developed, locally manufactured, battery-powered mixer truck.
The SANY eMixer is a specialised vehicle designed to transport concrete from the batching plant to the construction site safely, reliably, and efficiently. By operating electrically, it enables transportation and concrete delivery to be undertaken without emissions.
At its core is a powerful 350kWh battery from CATL, a leading global battery manufacturer known for its partnership with industry leaders like Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
“The performance of the truck and the efficiency of the battery will be tested under the unique operating constraints of ready-mix concrete distribution in metro and urban environments,” said Holcim Regional Logistics Manager, Concrete VIC/SA, Kevin Peet.
The mixer drum, crafted by Cesco Australia, a renowned local manufacturer of concrete mixers, guarantees high quality and durability, ensuring it can withstand the rigours of daily use.
Charging the SANY eMixer is both flexible and convenient. It can be fully charged overnight with a 30kW charger or rapidly charged in just 3 hours, ensuring it’s always ready for work.
Meanwhile, the vehicle’s advanced design not only reduces noise levels but also enhances mileage and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for urban construction projects across Australia.
“The eMixer typically has lower operating costs than its diesel counterparts,” said SANY Concrete & Road Machinery Sales Manager, William Liang.
“It is more energy-efficient and requires less maintenance, which could result in significant cost savings over the vehicle’s lifetime. This not only makes it a smart financial choice but also aligns with our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the construction industry.”
During the early days of the trial, the SANY eMixer has already demonstrated its impressive capabilities by covering multiple trips from the plant to job sites, completing each day with an average 35 percent state of charge remaining, Holcim outlined.
Holcim is the first company to trial the SANY eMixer in Australia. Both parties are closely monitoring the trial’s progress to evaluate the potential of the SANY eMixer in contributing to more sustainable operating practices at Holcim.
The SANY eMixer is not just a technological marvel; it is the first road-registered, 100 percent electric 8×4 mixer in Australia, presenting a milestone in sustainable construction.
“The development of the SANY eMixer specifically for the Australian market has been a significant investment for Putzmeister Oceania,” said Putzmeister Oceania Head of Construction, Chris Bartlett.
“This project is a key addition to our portfolio of low and zero-emission equipment. We are leading the way in supporting a more sustainable construction industry with the SANY eMixer and the recent introduction of the Putzmeister iONTRON hybrid concrete pump, the first of its kind in the market. Soon, we will add more exciting zero-emission products to our range of SANY and Putzmeister construction equipment, committing to delivering the best solutions, designed, developed, and manufactured specifically for Australian conditions.”
