Komatsu continues search for viable alternative fuels

First published at CONEXPO-CON/AGG - March 11, 2020

Komatsu-PC490LCi-11-4 Low ResKomatsu is continuing to pursue possible alternative fuel options for its range of construction vehicles, but has yet to reach the development stage of the process.

The company remains committed to alternative fuels, said Komatsu North America chairman and CEO Rod Schrader and electrification was still a major initiative within the company. However, while research into areas such as fuel cells was continuing: “We’re not in any development projects at this stage.”

The company has been a leader in electric-drive dump trucks in the mining sector, and introduced an electrical mini-excavator at BAUMA last year. It is continuing to look at multiple modes of power distribution. According to Schrader: “There’s not going to be one size that fits all”.

The size of existing batteries remained a problem, added Rich Smith, vice-president of products and services. To have batteries sufficie

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