Mammoet has introduced a zero-emission heavy transport vehicle, which can remove the carbon impact of installing large infrastructure such as bridges, wind turbines and power station components. The company said this is a world’s first for such a vehicle.

It works by converting existing self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) from diesel to electric power. SPMTs have been used in many large energy and construction projects worldwide.

Mammoet developed a retrofit kit to replace diesel engines in the vehicles with electric motors. Once converted, each SPMT operates in the same way as before: transporting objects up to thousands of tonnes at walking pace, using a remote control.

The company noted that fitting new engines in existing SPMT fleets cuts down on both waste and additional construction, compared to purchasing new zero-emission equipment.

The electric SPMT can eliminate the carbon footprint of site transports, Mammoet further highlighted. This allows users to reduce the impact of large infrastructure projects on surrounding people, businesses and infrastructure. The vehicle also reduces noise levels at project sites, making working conditions quieter and safer.

According to Mammoet, this green solution was part-financed by the DKTI, a Dutch government programme to develop climate technologies and innovations in logistics. The company worked with a leading provider of zero-emission powertrains for heavy industry to bring the electric power pack solution to market.