Successful ZERO seminar on construction machinery in Brussels
Machine manufacturers emphasised that electric models remain expensive and in low demand, preventing economies of scale. A new report from ZERO may offer the policy solutions needed to change that.
24. februar 2026 
There were good discussions about whether it is beneficial to implement regulations on the demand or supply-side of the market. Photo: Mission of Norway to the EU
On Tuesday the 24th of February, ZERO in collaboration with Bellona Europa and the mission of Norway to the European Union arranged a seminar in Brussels on how to accelerate the transition to cleaner construction machines in Europe.
“Battery Electric machines can do the work!”
The keynote speech was given by Abel Cecilie Knibe Kroglund, the Norwegian State Secretary of Transport. State secretary Kroglund delivered a clear message:
“Battery-electric equipment can do the work. However, we need to learn more about how to use them and the logistics with charging needs to come along.”
She also addressed the regulatory gap that currently faces European construction machines:
“For non-road mobile machinery, the European Union has regulations about local emission standards. This is not enough. In my opinion we need regulatory measures to reduce climate emissions from this sector in the EU”, said Kroglund.
Abel Cecilie Knibe Kroglund, the Norwegian State Secretary of Transport. Photo: Mission of Norway to the EU
The EU must lead
Harald Maaland, Transport advisor at ZERO, presented a new report on how the transition to cleaner construction equipment can be accelerated across Europe.
“Europe needs policy that creates demand, reduces risk, and gives a clear long-term direction. Then we can make zero-emission construction sites the new normal across Europe”, said Maaland.
The report written by ZERO can be read here, and contains concrete policy proposals on how local, national and European policymakers can manage the transition to cleaner construction machinery.
Economy of scale an issue
Machine manufacturers such as Volvo Machine and Liebherr attended the seminar, speaking about the future of the European machinery industry, and how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Thomas Haas from Liebherr highlighted one of the key barriers facing the transition to electric construction machinery.
“The issue for electric machines is that they are high cost, with low demand, not allowing any economy of scale”, said Haas.
Tora Leifland from Volvo Machine presented their ambitious goals for the construction machinery sector and pointed out that green ambitions aren’t the only argument for an electrification of the sector.
“Our foundation is not only scientific, grounded in the Paris-agreement, but we also see that electric drivelines are more efficient and that we can increase productivity,” said Leifland.
Panel discussion about regulations
The seminar was finished off with a panel discussion between the Norwegian state secretary and representatives from Volvo, the Netherlands and the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE).
Although there was an agreement about the need for increased climate policy, there were good discussions about whether it is beneficial to implement regulations on the demand or supply-side of the market. With CECE preferring the first, and others advocating for a mixed approach, regulating both sides.
