In 2025, driven by dual-carbon goals and technological revolution, the global excavator industry is undergoing an unprecedented structural transformation. As a bellwether for the industry, the Bauma Exhibition in Germany has showcased the latest breakthroughs in new energy and intelligent technologies. Chinese enterprises, leveraging their full industrial chain advantages, have evolved from followers to key players in global competition.

At the Bauma Exhibition, major Chinese construction machinery giants such as XCMG, SANY Group, and Zoomlion unveiled a array of electric excavators, accounting for over 40% of the exhibited products. XCMG launched its all-electric loader XC9108EV and mining motor grader GR350EP, with an endurance capacity exceeding 8 hours and energy consumption costs 40% lower than traditional models. Among the 11 new energy products making their European debut at SANY Group, the 5-ton all-electric road roller STR50E adopts a modular battery design, enabling fast battery swapping to meet the needs of continuous operations.

Meanwhile, international brands like Caterpillar and Komatsu are also accelerating their electrification layouts: Komatsu launched 5 models of electric hydraulic excavators and demonstrated supporting solutions such as megawatt-level fast-charging vehicles; Caterpillar released industrial engines compatible with renewable fuels while advancing testing of hydrogen fuel engines. Data shows that the global penetration rate of electric excavators is expected to reach 30% in 2025, with sales in the Chinese market surpassing 80,000 units.

Intelligence was another highlight of this year’s exhibition. Zoomlion’s earth-moving machinery is equipped with 5G remote control and AI-assisted construction systems, enabling precise operations in complex terrain; SANY Heavy Industry’s Mechlink intelligent excavation system supports L2-level one-click intelligent excavation, increasing efficiency by 30% in high-risk scenarios such as mines. Komatsu’s newly released PC220LCi-12 excavator is equipped with a 3D machine control system, which links with GNSS antennas and design data to automatically complete processes such as excavation and loading, achieving a construction accuracy of ±2 cm.

In addition, Case Construction Machinery’s concept unmanned electric loader has eliminated the cab, enabling unmanned operations in harsh environments through remote control. The popularization of intelligent technologies not only reduces labor costs but also drives the industry’s transformation from equipment sales to a “equipment + services” model.

China’s excavator industry is gaining momentum in both domestic and international markets, thanks to its cost-performance ratio and technological iteration advantages. In August 2025, domestic excavator sales increased by 12.8% year-on-year, with exports accounting for 53% of total sales—countries along the Belt and Road contributing the main growth. Driven by surging infrastructure investment demand in emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and Africa, purchases of 20-ton standard excavators have increased by over 25% annually; in European and American markets, driven by carbon emission regulations, the penetration rate of electric excavators has reached 35%, and Chinese brands now account for 18% of government procurement projects in countries like Germany and France.

Notably, Chinese enterprises are further consolidating their market positions through localized production: XCMG has established an assembly center in the Suez Canal Economic Zone of Egypt, and LiuGong’s financial leasing penetration rate in Russia has reached 45%, significantly shortening delivery cycles and reducing operating costs.

Industry experts predict that the global excavator market will expand at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 8.2% from 2025 to 2030, with electrification and intelligence remaining the core growth drivers. With breakthroughs in lithium battery technology, the endurance of electric equipment is expected to increase to 10 hours, and costs will drop by another 30%. However, fluctuations in raw material prices and trade barriers remain major risks, forcing Chinese enterprises to strengthen technological R&D and compliance capabilities—for example, the EU’s stricter carbon emission requirements for non-road machinery have pushed enterprises to accelerate the development of hydrogen energy and hybrid technologies.

Furthermore, the globalization of after-sales service networks and the resilience building of the parts supply chain will be crucial for enterprises to succeed in international competition.

This green and intelligent revolution has not only rewritten the technological path of the excavator industry but also reshaped the power landscape of the global construction machinery industry. With their first-mover advantages and systematic innovation capabilities, Chinese enterprises are transitioning from “Made in China” to “Intelligent Manufacturing for the World”—a process that will profoundly influence the future of global infrastructure construction.