Trondheim Municipality welcomes Norway's first full hybrid backhoe loader HUDDIG 1370T

Trondheim Municipality is already at the forefront of converting its fleet to 100% zero-emission construction vehicles. In February 2023, a significant step was taken when their HUDDIG 1370T arrived; the full hybrid excavator loader that is also Norway's first of its kind.

Pål Roar Aunvåg works as operations manager at Idrett Park og skog in Trondheim - here, he talks about the municipality's work on the green transition and the new machine.

“We have been waiting for the full hybrid for a long time, so it is a big step for us to have received it. The environmental benefits are great, and the excavator loader's reduced noise improves the working environment for the operator and the people around the machine."

The full-hybrid excavator loader offers many benefits and a major technological leap forward with the power train and an upgraded excavator unit that that impress with its power and range.

"We have taken the fleet to new heights by adding a TIGON. The excavator unit offers many advantages, such as lifting height and power. Thanks to the increased slewing torque, we can also move heavier loads sideways faster, increasing efficiency and reducing the need for other machines."

The differential drive of the TIGON machine protects sensitive green areas, and the electric drive significantly reduces noise levels, essential parameters for the municipality working close to its inhabitants.

"With each wheel driven separately by an electric motor, as opposed to conventional transmission, the full hybrid provides a softer footprint on the ground. The machine's quietness and low noise level allow us to operate early or late in the day and at weekends without disturbing residents."

Pål Roar Aunvåg currently works as an operations manager with staff responsibility at Idrett, Park og Skog, with 15 employees. The department is responsible for maintenance and new construction for the trustees of Trondheim municipality.

"It has been a fascinating journey with the transition to more sustainable fuels from when I started in the 90s to today. The development has significantly gained momentum in the last four years, and today we have several construction vehicles running on HVO, gas, and now electricity."

Norway's government provides environmental grants to support the green transition. Pål says the grants are an essential aspect of enabling the green shift for the construction industry.

"New technologies are more expensive, so grants are needed to get over the breaking point. Norway also uses a points system for contractors where sustainability is a significant consideration. If your tender is more expensive than the competition, you can still win it with an environmental machine. I think more people will use environmentally friendly vehicles in 10 years, as the price has decreased and hybrid and electric machines will be easier available," Pål concludes.