Concrete and building products giant, Holcim Australia has announced that along with concrete machinery and equipment maker, Putzmeister Oceania, it has signed an agreement to trial the first Australian Design Rules (ADR) approved and road registered 100 per cent electric concrete truck mixer in Australia.
Holcim made the announcement this week about the the eMixer, which has been launched under the Sany brand, supported by Putzmeister, saying that it represents a significant leap forward in the construction industry’s journey towards a carbon-neutral construction site.
Sany is a Chinese truck brand which apparently produces the e truck chassis, while the superstructure is designed and manufactured by Putzmeister in its native Germany.
Sany Group, claims to be the world’s third-largest construction equipment manufacturer and says that it has already deployed around 10,000 electric trucks for daily use in China since 2019, and has expand its presence in globally since 2022 when it commenced an export program.
It is not clear where Sany and Putzmeister source the truck cabs, however the ones featured in Holcim’s photos of its eMixers bear a striking resemblance to Scania’s cab, which may mean that the company’s have employed the greatest form of flattery, in imitating the Swedish company’s design, or it may just be a very similar looking truck.
The Putzmeister P9G I concrete mixer superstructure is claimed to have already garnered positive feedback from customers in Norway, Iceland, France, Spain, and Germany.
Head of sustainability at Holcim Australia and New Zealand, Cyril Giraud, said that at Holcim, its commitment to sustainability is embedded in its core strategy and drives it to continuously improve and innovate.
“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,” said Cyril Giraud.
The statement said that to meet local requirements, Putzmeister Oceania partnered with experts at Cesco Australia to manufacture an Australian-made mixer structure on a Sany SY408P electric chassis, which has been integrated with locally designed and accepted controls.
The outcome says Holcim is a 100 per cent electric, globally developed, locally manufactured, battery-powered mixer truck.
Holcim claims 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 100 per cent electrically, which it says enables transportation and concrete delivery, to be carried out entirely without emissions.
The company claims then Sany eMixer introduces innovative features that set a new standard in the construction industry. At the core of te truck is a 350 kWh battery from CATL, which is a leading global battery manufacturer known for its partnership with industry leaders like Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
Regional logistics manager, of concrete in Vic/SA, for nHolcim Kevin Peet, said 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.
Holcim explains that the mixer drum, which was manufactured by Cesco Australia, which is a well recognied local concrete mixer manufacturer, which the company claims will make for high quality and durability, and hopefully will ensure 
it can withstand the rigours of daily use.
It said that charging the SANY eMixer is apparently both flexible and convenient, with the truck being able to be fully charged overnight with a 30-kW charger, or rapidly charged in just three hours. This it says will ensure that the truck will always be ready for the demands of daily operations.
The company also points out that the eMixer’s advanced design and electric driveline, will not only reduces noise levels but also enhances mileage and efficiency, saying that it makes it an ideal choice for urban construction projects across Australia.
Sany Concrete and Road Machinery sales manager, William Liang said the eMixer typically has lower operating costs than its diesel counterparts.
“It is more energy-efficient and requires less maintenance, which could result in significant cost savings over the vehicle’s lifetime,” Liang said.
“This not only makes it a smart financial choice but also aligns with our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the construction industry,” he said.
Holcim said that during the early days of the trial of the Sany eMixer, it has already demonstrated its impressive capabilities by covering multiple trips from the plant to job sites, completing each day with an average 35 per cent state of charge remaining.
