Lévis, April 30, 2026 — The Project Plug-in Fleet Heavy Equipment marked an important first milestone with the hosting of its very first event at the Centre national de conduite d’engins de chantier (CNCEC) in Lévis. The day brought together industry stakeholders, technical experts, partners, and representatives from the construction sector around a shared goal: to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with the electrification of heavy machinery.
An Event Designed to Support the Industry
Designed as a space for exchange and learning, the event gave participants a concrete look at the realities of the energy transition on construction sites. With 26 exhibitors and partners in attendance, discussions covered both the equipment currently available and the conditions required for its deployment in real‑world operational settings.
The choice of the CNCEC as the host venue reflects the project’s desire to connect theoretical learning with on‑the‑ground realities. Recognized for its role in training future operators, the institution provides an environment conducive to experimentation and to gaining a deeper understanding of emerging technologies.
Three Training Sessions to Better Understand Electrification
At the heart of the program, three complementary training sessions provided a clear, practical overview of the electrification of construction equipment.
1. Electric Construction Equipment 101
This first training session laid the groundwork. It highlighted in particular that while electric technologies are already mature, their integration into construction site operations remains the main challenge.
Participants also noted that electrification can deliver significant environmental gains, notably through major reductions in life‑cycle greenhouse gas emissions, especially in a jurisdiction such as Québec where electricity is predominantly low‑carbon.
This training session placed particular emphasis on a key element: the need to plan operations differently, especially with regard to equipment range, charging requirements, and actual usage in the field.
2. Charging on a Construction Site
The second training session addressed a central issue: energy logistics. It highlighted that the primary challenge of a zero‑emission construction site lies in its refueling—or charging—strategy.
Various approaches were presented, ranging from fixed charging stations to mobile solutions, as well as energy storage options. Participants also explored the importance of planning energy needs based on operations, break schedules, and site‑specific constraints.
One message clearly emerged: there is no one‑size‑fits‑all solution. Each project requires a tailored analysis that integrates the equipment, the charging strategy, and the construction site environment.
3. Costs and Benefits of Electrification
The final training session addressed the economic aspects of electrification. It demonstrated in particular that the decision to electrify is not based solely on acquisition costs, but rather on a comprehensive analysis of costs across the entire operating life cycle.
Participants gained a clearer understanding of the variables influencing total cost of ownership, including energy, maintenance, infrastructure, financial incentives, and operating conditions. In several of the cases analyzed, electric equipment can become cost‑effective over a time horizon of a few years, particularly when operations are intensive.
Concrete Learnings for the Entire Industry
Beyond the training sessions, the event fostered rich exchanges among participants. Several key observations emerged:
- Electrification is generating growing interest across the industry;
- The challenges are primarily operational rather than technological;
- Energy planning is becoming a central component of projects;
- Field‑based experimentation is essential to driving changes in practices.
These learnings will help inform the project’s ongoing work and contribute to better equipping organizations across Québec.
A Structuring Project to Support the Transition
The project Plug-in Fleet Heavy Equipment aims to support the industry in its transition toward low‑emission equipment. It is built on a collaborative approach that combines field trials, knowledge sharing, and the development of tools tailored to the realities of construction sites.
The Lévis event marks the beginning of a series of activities that will make it possible to concretely document the integration of these technologies across different use‑case contexts.
What’s Next: Field Trials Beginning This Year
The next phase of the project will involve conducting concrete trials under real‑world conditions. By the end of the year, an electric LiuGong wheel loader provided by Groupe Gymdex will be tested in particular, with the goal of documenting its integration into day‑to‑day operations.
These trials will generate essential field data to guide decision‑makers, reduce uncertainty, and accelerate the adoption of solutions adapted to the Québec context.
