The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) aims to nearly eliminate its fossil emissions by 2040. This comprehensive initiative covers not only the company's operational emissions but also the so-called "indirect" emissions from purchased goods and services. In civil engineering alone, SBB procures services worth around one billion Swiss Francs per year. The construction machinery on SBB sites accounts for annual emissions of approximately 40,000 tons of CO2.

Why Does It Matter?

These 40,000 tons represent about half of SBB's own operational emissions. To put it in perspective: All construction machinery in Switzerland consumes around 162 million liters of diesel annually, making up about 3% of the country's total diesel consumption. As a major public contractor, SBB has both the opportunity and the responsibility to influence the market for sustainable, fossil-free construction machinery.

The Minusio Pilot: A Practical Test

In a pilot project in Minusio, an electric 8.5-ton excavator - our ZE85 - and an electric dumper were deployed. The experiences were overwhelmingly positive. The machinery was well-received and demonstrated that the technology is ready for deployment. Interestingly, the electric excavator consumed an average of only 11 kWh per working hour, underscoring the efficiency and economic viability of the technology.

What Changes Specifically?

1. Tenders: Future tenders will include specific requirements for the use of electric machinery.
2. Planning: Planning offices will need to adapt. This also affects the dimensioning of electrical connections and the planning of charging times.
3. Site Organization: The right infrastructure for charging the machinery must be established. Staff need to be trained, and experts should accompany the process.

More Than Just Climate Protection

Besides the obvious climate benefits, electric construction machinery offers other advantages. They are quieter, improving the quality of life for residents and workers alike. In Minusio, workers could even listen to the radio and communicate more easily, which would be unthinkable on a noisy diesel construction site.

The Cost Question

Although the initial purchase costs for electric construction machinery are currently higher, the operating costs are significantly lower. This makes them economically attractive in the long run. The Minusio pilot was funded from SBB's climate fund, showing that SBB is willing to invest in this technology.

A Look into the Future

The market for electric construction machinery is on the rise. SBB plans to deploy more electric models in close collaboration with suppliers. The long-term goal is the realization of the first fully fossil-free construction site.

Conclusion

SBB takes its responsibility as one of Switzerland's largest public contractors seriously and is setting new standards in the field of sustainable construction sites. Through targeted investments and pilot projects like the one in Minusio, SBB demonstrates that a fossil-free construction site is no longer a thing of the future but can become a reality. Now is the time to act to minimize costs and the ecological footprint for future generations.

Learn more about the ZE85!