Electrification that works - and keeps working!

How Emoss contributes to a circular economy

A conversation with Emoss Mobile Systems CTO Patrick Heuts

During the Week of the Circular Economy (19–27 March 2026), the Netherlands showcases how companies are using resources, energy and materials in smarter, more sustainable ways. For Emoss Mobile Systems, this is the perfect moment to demonstrate how the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles directly contributes to that mission.

We don’t do this by simply selling batteries — we deliver a complete electrification solution that works, remains reliable for years, and fully relieves our customers of operational worries. And we’ve been doing that for more than 20 years.

Heavy equipment worth keeping

Patrick paints a familiar picture for anyone working with such machinery. A new vehicle isn’t just an order; it’s a major investment, with lead times of up to a year and a substantial CO₂ footprint in tonnes of steel before it even enters the yard.

"Why would we go through that again,” he says, “when the existing vehicle is technically capable of running for many more years?”

In the world of terminal tractors, heavy construction machinery and airport equipment, robustness is the norm. These vehicles are built to last — which makes them ideal candidates for a second life. Not by reinstalling diesel engines, but by electrifying them.

Patrick shares an example from a customer in the terminal tractor sector. New electric vehicles often have a longer wheelbase to accommodate more batteries. But that immediately created a new problem: the turning radius increased.

“That’s when you see that new isn’t always better. When you electrify the existing vehicle, all the good characteristics are preserved.”

On top of that, a new electric vehicle is more expensive — for the price of one new electric vehicle, you can electrify two existing ones.

Experience you can feel in practice

Electrifying heavy-duty machinery requires robustness — no experiments. These machines endure extremely intensive use, and downtime translates directly into cost. That’s why Emoss builds solutions that must do one thing: deliver a full shift, every workday.

Patrick puts it quite simply:

“Everything we’ve put in the field runs. That’s the benchmark.”

And our solutions are not just electric; they are part of a larger ecosystem of service, maintenance and continuous development — for more than twenty years.

What often goes unnoticed are the societal benefits related to air quality, noise and vibrations. Companies transitioning from diesel to electric notice the difference immediately: fewer vibrations, less noise, smoother operation and a workday that simply feels more comfortable.

Climate and air quality

The Week of the Circular Economy focuses on using resources, energy and materials more intelligently. For Emoss, that is exactly where our strength lies: giving heavy vehicles a new life, reducing emissions and making electrification both feasible and financially attractive.

What is often underestimated is how quickly electrification delivers climate benefits. Research from Scania shows that an electric Refuse Collection Vehicle (eRCV) has a lower climate impact than a diesel equivalent within the first year of operation, when considering the full life cycle.

For retrofit solutions, this effect is even faster. Because the existing chassis and bodywork are retained, a large portion of the CO₂ emissions associated with manufacturing a completely new vehicle is avoided.

Electrifying waste collection: a logical next step

Electrification has already proven itself in other urban transport segments. City buses in many European cities have been running electrically for years. Waste collection vehicles often have an even more intensive urban duty cycle: short distances, frequent stops, idling and operating in densely populated areas.

This means they have a significant impact on local air quality — and offer substantial potential for emission reduction through electrification.

We see this potential in practice as well. For many years, we have been working with Waste Management New Zealand on the electrification of their fleet.

All-electric rubbish truck © Waste Management New Zealand

Patrick sums it up simply:

“When you electrify, the effect multiplies rapidly — in emission reduction as well as in cost savings. It’s very simple: every litre of diesel you eliminate saves at least one euro after electrification.”

A future that keeps moving

Electrification is a necessary step for those who want to move forward. It demands knowledge, experience and systems that continue to perform — not for just a few years, but for a decade or more. And that is exactly where Emoss excels.

Patrick:

“Electrifying heavy machinery is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a must-have. Long-term sustainability makes more sense than short-term gains. And we know how to make that happen.”

Discover how your equipment can get a second life

Want to know what electrification means for your existing heavy-duty vehicles? And how quickly your equipment can be back in operation? Electrifying is more within reach than you might think.

And we’d be happy to show you — with solutions that work. Always.