Hoeflon compares electric and diesel mini crane running costs

Two machines, one capacity class

The Dutch compact-crane manufacturer has built the comparison around two machines that are used for the same work in practice: its own C6e, an electric mini crane running on battery power or mains electricity, and a diesel mini crane in the three-tonne class with a 15.2 kW engine. The C6e lifts 3,000 kg, reaches a lifting height of 16 m and weighs 2,850 kg; the diesel reference machine handles 2,980 kg at 2.5 m radius with a 12.52 m lifting height. Hoeflon stresses that this is a comparison within a capacity class, not between two technically identical machines.

On the jobsite the difference in driveline is felt immediately. The C6e produces no exhaust gases and measures 63 dB(A) at one metre on the engine side, which opens up indoor work in factory halls, occupied buildings such as hospitals and schools, low-emission zones and night shifts governed by noise limits.

Where the money goes per operating hour

Per operating hour the electric crane draws 4.5 kWh from the grid, worth about €0.99, against 2.0 litres of diesel at €3.64 for the combustion machine. Operational CO₂ comes to 1.10 kg per hour on the Dutch grid mix versus 6.50 kg for diesel. The electric driveline needs no engine oil, filters or fuel system, although hydraulics, tracks, outriggers and periodic inspections still require attention on both machines.

Adding maintenance, depreciation and a battery-replacement reserve of €2.00 per hour on the electric side, Hoeflon arrives at a total of €17.92 per operating hour for the C6e against €19.14 for diesel, calculated at 750 hours a year. The purchase gap in the example — €150,000 electric against €110,000 diesel — flips the outcome at low utilisation: at 250 hours a year diesel works out €6.45 per hour cheaper, while at 1,500 hours the electric advantage grows to €1.63 per hour. Break-even sits at around 570 hours a year, or about 820 hours when the machine is financed.

Diesel keeps its place

Hoeflon is careful not to declare diesel dead. Sites without a reliable power supply, long intensive stints without a charging window, low annual hours and international work with unknown charging infrastructure all still favour the diesel machine. Hybrid mini cranes that combine both drivelines exist, but carry two systems to maintain, extra weight and a higher purchase price. As for battery life, the manufacturer indicates eight to ten years, calculating with 10 years or 8,000 operating hours, whichever comes first.