New York City (City) is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from City operations by increasing the use of electric construction equipment. The market for electric construction equipment is still in its early stages, but public-sector procurements and rentals can signal a commitment to expanding this equipment in the region. As the technology for electric equipment develops, companies can help grow the market in New York City and across the U.S.
In September 2024, the City launched the North American Electric Construction Coalition (NAECC), a group of six cities and counties and roughly 10 private sector and non-profit partners committed to purchasing or using electric construction equipment on their projects. These local governments will promote and pursue strategies that encourage the increased use of electric construction equipment, including pilot programs where possible.
Clean Construction Innovation Pilot:
The City is looking to collaborate with the manufacturers or suppliers of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric construction equipment to pilot and assess the viability of use in City-run construction projects. Based on market research conducted by the City with input from manufacturers and rental companies, certain pieces of equipment are viable for pilots in the region such as:
- Air compressors, augers, boring machines, concrete mixers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, mowers, excavators, loaders, front-end loaders, tractors, skid steers, telehandlers, scissor lifts, forklifts, rollers, concrete trailer pumps, dry prime pumps, backhoes, cranes, compactors, batteries, solar light towers, battery hybrid generators, mixers, and dump trucks.
The City is interested in working with companies who can provide their equipment and right-sized charging solutions at no cost for a period of roughly 2-6 months. During the pilot’s duration, the City will evaluate how effective the equipment is under real-world conditions.
Evaluation and Criteria:
- Power: Hours of operation and battery life duration in varying weather conditions
- Effectiveness: Ability to complete standard tasks and operations (relative to I.C.E. equivalent)
- Practicality: Charge speed, project workflow alterations, cost premiums
- Worker Experience: Ease of use, helpfulness of training (if necessary), worker satisfaction, safety
- Environmental Co-Benefits: Noise reduction, air pollution reduction
Who Can Apply:
Any company manufacturing or supplying electric construction equipment or charging equipment, including battery hybrid generators, can apply to participate in the pilot program.
Pilot Program:
All submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by a selection committee comprised of City agency representatives during an open submission process. The City will deliver a presentation about the pilot’s goals and sites, and answer questions from potential applicants during an informational webinar that will take place in February. After submissions close, the applications will be reviewed. Finalists will be selected in April 2025.
- Clean Construction Innovation Pilot Webinar
- Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
- Webinar recording can be found below:
The City may ask the applicants additional questions before the final participants are selected. This pilot program will help prove equipment applicability and viability, and open new markets for manufacturers and rental companies as supply increases. Once the pilot is underway, there will be opportunities for partner companies to present to the NAECC and during Climate Week 2025, as well as a chance to amplify their products in case studies formed jointly with City staff, which will be published on the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice’s website and the Office of Technology & Innovation’s Smart City Testbed.
The application period is now closed. For additional questions, reach out to the Smart City Testbed team at [email protected].
