Liebherr showcases first full-electric truck mixers

Switzerland-headquartered equipment manufacturer Liebherr and electric mobility and innovation firm Designwerk, have developed the first full-electric truck mixers with 10 and 12 m³ drums on a 5-axle chassis.

The company say the first operations are planned by its customers Holcim and KIBAG in Switzerland. The electric truck mixers design is said to be perfect for Switzerland, where vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 40-tonnes are allowed to drive on 5-axles.

Liebherr says that concrete production in the concrete plants is clean and environmentally friendly, as the mixing plants operate electrically, which is not yet the case when transporting the concrete to the construction site. At present, powerful diesel engines have been the norm for such applications - combined with emissions in terms of exhaust gases and noise.

The new ETM 1005 and 1205 truck mixers on a chassis from Futuricum will change that, by transporting large quantities of concrete to the construction site quietly and reliably without exhaust emissions. Since distances from the concrete plant to the construction site are relatively short compared to freight traffic, this all-electric solution is particularly well suited for this application. Moreover, the vehicles return to the concrete plant again and again, where there is a charging infrastructure for the batteries. Thanks to large accumulator capacities, charging the batteries is normally only necessary overnight.

The company says Futuricum chassis is extremely powerful, with the equivalent of 680 HP, and can easily cope with the weight of the concrete. Energy recovery during braking or downhill driving further increases the range of the truck and reduces operating and maintenance costs. The drum drive developed by Liebherr and ZF consists of a low-maintenance and efficient unit of electric motor and mixer gearbox.

For the first time, both the truck and the truck mixer body are powered jointly by the traction battery, eliminating the need for costly power electronics components. The new Liebherr Generation 05 electrified body offers additional advantages, which include the compact electric drive for the mixing drum is flanged directly to the drum and its high efficiency ensures that power consumption for relieving the traction battery of the Futuricum truck remains low. It also eliminates the need for any hydraulic equipment - no hose connections, no pump, and therefore no risk of leakage. Liebherr says its truck mixer body boasts a low net weight combined with the best possible transport volume, a long service life thanks to its special wear-resistant steel and the ergonomic design of the operation system and access points. A platform system on both sides allows flexible positioning and attachment of accessories or attachments to suit customer requirements.

All subassemblies, chassis and mixer bodies are optimally matched to each other by Liebherr and Futuricum. The weight distribution across the axles is ideal for a good driving characteristic. A temperature management system ensures that the components are cooled or heated as required.