Battery-electric equipment was one of the biggest talking points at Hillhead 2026, and few exhibitors embraced the technology quite as enthusiastically as LiuGong. With everything from compact excavators to large quarrying equipment on display, the manufacturer used the show to demonstrate that electric power is no longer limited to small machines or niche applications.
EHN caught up with LiuGong UK Sales Director Harry Mellor to discuss the company's growing presence in Britain, the realities of battery-electric machinery and why he believes the UK market is ready for change.
LiuGong certainly made an impression at Hillhead this year. What was the thinking behind the stand?
We wanted to make a statement. We invested heavily in the show, with both indoor and outdoor displays, and we built the stand around a simple message: expert insight, proven on site," says Harry.
"A lot of people still think battery-electric equipment is something for small urban jobs, but we wanted to show that the technology is now capable of handling demolition, heavy infrastructure and quarrying applications. That's why we brought some really substantial electric machines to Hillhead."
Some of those machines certainly surprised with their size. What do you have on display?
"We have electric wheel loaders, excavators, a motor grader and even a battery-electric rigid mining truck on display. These are not concept machines - they're working products.
"People are often surprised when they hear about a 50-tonne electric mining truck or a large electric loading shovel, but that's exactly why we wanted them here. We wanted visitors to see that battery-electric technology is already working in demanding real-world applications.
There's still some scepticism around electric construction machinery. Are attitudes beginning to change?
"Definitely. The interesting thing is that customers often buy their first electric machine because they want to explore the technology or tick a sustainability box. Then six months later they're looking at the numbers and thinking, 'Actually, this makes a lot of sense.'
"They've saved money on fuel, they've had fewer breakdowns and they've reduced maintenance costs. Suddenly the conversation isn't really about emissions anymore. It's about productivity and profitability.
What are the biggest misconceptions you encounter?
"The biggest one is charging infrastructure. People assume they need huge grid connections to make electric equipment work, but that's often not the case.
"That's why we brought battery energy storage solutions to Hillhead. You don't always need massive amounts of power coming directly from the grid. It's about managing energy properly on site and understanding how the technology works. Once people see the practical side of it, many of those concerns disappear.
Does the business case become stronger the longer a customer keeps a machine?
"Without question. There's usually a higher initial purchase price, but you have to look at the total cost of ownership.
"You're reducing fuel costs, reducing servicing requirements and eliminating a lot of the issues associated with modern diesel engines. The longer you own the machine, the greater those savings become.
"Historically, some customers have been used to replacing equipment every few years. With electric machinery, we're seeing more people asking whether they actually need to do that."
Beyond electrification, LiuGong seems to be gaining ground in the UK. What's your target?
"The UK is a huge opportunity for us. It's the biggest hire market in Europe and there's a huge amount of infrastructure activity taking place.
"I've spent the last six years working across Europe, helping to grow the business and expand the product range, and now we're bringing that experience to the UK market.
"We're continuing to develop our dealer network while maintaining a direct relationship with major quarrying, demolition and infrastructure customers. It's about sustainable growth rather than chasing volume"
Finally, what would you like UK customers to understand about LiuGong?
"We want people to look beyond where the machines are manufactured and focus on what they're actually delivering.
"Customers such as major contractors, quarry operators and infrastructure businesses are choosing LiuGong because the machines perform, they're reliable and they're backed by a strong support network.
"We're not interested in simply selling as many machines as possible. We're focused on building long-term relationships and helping customers find the right solution for their application. That's what matters to us, and that's how we'll continue to grow in the UK.
