Komatsu HEV (Hybrid-Electric Forwarder) Prototype Unveiled

The Komatsu HEV (Hybrid-Electric Forwarder) has been unveiled for the first time where advancements in eco-friendly technology for forestry applications were showcased. This model integrates hybrid-electric propulsion to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, while maintaining robust performance in timber harvesting operations.

In 2023, Komatsu Forest announced that they were investing in the future and building a completely new development department with a focus on the electrification of forest machines, this is where the Komatsu HEV Forwarder project was born.

80,000 Hours

That’s a remarkable amount of work hours for a single machine, the Norcar 600 owned by Erkki Rinne is taken well care of, it even has the original Diesel engine.
Kieran Anders Forestry

Kieran Anders is a forestry contractor working in the lake district. His work involves hand cutting and extracting timber using a skidder and tractor-trailer forwarder.
Promoting safety in the workplace

It is not possible to eliminate chain shot, but there are simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk.
Glasfryn Fencing and Sawmill

Arwel takes great pride in the fact that the mill has no waste whatsoever, “the peelings are used for children’s playgrounds, gardens and for farm animals in barns in the winter and the sawdust has multiple uses in gardens and farms as well.
Keeping Timber Hauliers Safe

Timber hauliers need to encourage young blood in, and also look after the hauliers we have, we need make the sector a safe and positive place to work.

FIND US ON

With the investment, the company wants to contribute to reducing net emissions of carbon dioxide from its forest machines. The investment is fully in line with the company’s goals, where sustainability is fundamental to the entire business.

“We have a production facility that is carbon neutral and we work with the same determination to reduce CO2 emissions from the use of our forest machines. Our goal is to develop efficient products that are fundamentally designed to minimize environmental impact and reduced CO2 emissions, where electrification is an important part. The long-term vision is to be able to reach a net zero emission worksite”, says Erik Nilsson, Chief Technology Officer, CTO, at Komatsu Forest.

“We see an increasing interest among our customers and partners to reduce the environmental impact of forest machines. Our goal is to reduce CO2 net emissions through new technology solutions that we expect to be able to introduce over time,” says Peter Hasselryd, VP Marketing & Sales at Komatsu Forest.

Opening up for electrification in the forest is a groundbreaking technological step for Komatsu Forest – which also entails major challenges. Since the machines work off-grid, outside the existing power grid, there are many aspects to consider when developing new machine solutions. In order for the machines to be able to use different types of energy media, different energy distribution solutions are needed for the workplace in the forest, and to succeed with the transition, cooperation and partnerships are required, as well as the development of new technology and new system solutions.

“Almost exactly two years ago, we announced our investment in electrification. We have now developed a concept prototype that will be shown for the first time at Komatsu Days 2025. The concept prototype is a forwarder with electric hybrid technology. Hybridization is a first step of electrification where existing fuel distribution of renewable HVO100 can be used just like on our conventional machines,” says Erik Nilsson.

The machine has a smaller, but efficient engine that is connected to a generator. The machine is equipped with a battery pack that balances the engine’s load and improves the coordination of the machine’s functions. Many of the machine’s subsystems are fully electric, which makes the machine energy efficient.

“The goal of the machine is to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while not compromising on machine productivity, as well as achieving improved characteristics and driveability. The concept prototype will now be tested and evaluated before the next step can be taken,” concludes Erik Nilsson.