Electric Performance

Originally published in Earthmovers & Excavators, April 2026.

The LiuGong 924FE in the demo zone at DDT.

Demonstrations of the LiuGong Battery Electric range drew crowds at two recent industry events in Victoria, indicating a growing interest in equipment that reduces operating costs.

With both the construction and earthmoving industries looking towards lower operating costs and reduced emissions, the LiuGong battery electric range is climbing higher on contractors’ wish lists.

Complementing the established diesel line-up of heavy machinery, the LiuGong battery electric equipment range in Australia includes seven-tonne to 41-tonne wheel loaders, as well as excavators, graders, skid steers and forklifts.

LiuGong Sales Specialist at McIntosh & Son Perth, Angelo Francesca says the spike in interest has come at a time when the cost of inputs, like diesel, are continuing to rise and decision-makers are keen to look at alternatives.

“We’re currently demonstrating loaders and excavators across Western Ausralia, and the Eastern States,” Francesca says.

Many operators are still unsure of charging times and overall cost of ownership, however Francesca says it’s easier to have a conversation about specific needs and use cases to take out the guesswork.

“We get a lot of questions about charging times, and the answer will always depend on what power supply is available,” he says.

“We also have mobile charging stations developed, for those with more remote sites.

“Once we sit down and do the numbers with each client, they realise electric is not just a viable option – it can actually reduce costs.”

LiuGong recently exhibited at the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) conference in Melbourne and Diesel, Dirt & Turf (DDT) in Sydney, both drawing crowds around the electric machinery on display.

Event showcase

At DDT, held at Eastern Creek Dragway this past April, LiuGong showcased a ‘demo zone’ where attendees could get in the cab of a machine and dig for themselves.

At the centre of the demo zone was the LiuGong 924FE, a 24-tonne battery electric excavator designed to deliver full-production performance.

Operators consistently noted the machine’s instant torque and smooth hydraulic response, delivering strong, predictable digging performance without lag.

“The electric motor delivers instant torque, which gives operators immediate response when digging or lifting. It’s something you notice straight away,” he says.

“We had a lot of feedback about how they were surprised at having all that power with no noise.

“The 913F CR excavator was also popular in the zone, it’s a newly released 15-tonne excavator, and has already had very strong enquiry.”

LiuGong also made a significant impact at the AORA conference held in Melbourne in April, an event bringing together processors, suppliers, researchers, policymakers, councils, and end users from across Australia’s recycled organics industry.

The LiuGong 8110TE 48-tonne wheel loader was used as part of the conference’s Demonstration Day, and the machine made a strong impression during live demonstrations.

“Despite its size, the standout feature wasn’t just its capacity – it was the near-silent operation,” he says.

“Each company had to do a presentation while their equipment was working in the background, so you can imagine there was a lot of noise, making it hard to hear and guests were easily distracted.

“However, when it was our turn, the wheel loader was whisper quiet while still delivering the performance expected in bulk handling and high-production environments.

“We had contractors come up to us straight after the demonstration for more information.”

The LiuGong 98110TE wheel loader was used as part of AORA's Demonstration Day. Image: Paul Benjamin Photography.

Demonstration approach

Through the demonstration program, LiuGong specialists are able to answer operator questions head-on with machines like the LiuGong 924FE excavator and 838TE, 848TE, 870HE and 8110TE wheel loaders, putting real operators in the seat and letting the machines prove themselves.

“We find onsite demonstrations are one of the best ways to let our customers see the real value in moving forward with LiuGong,” Francesca says.

From civil works to waste and quarry environments, we've been been showcasing the LiuGong range so operators can assess performance, runtime and usability firsthand.

“We know our product is ahead of the field, but there’s only so much a brochure can tell you,” Francesca says.

“By allowing a prospective buyer to sit in the cab, use it in their daily operations and workload, and get their operators’ feedback, the decision to buy becomes far easier.”

With demonstrations available through McIntosh & Son Perth, contractors no longer need to rely on assumptions around electric machinery, and as more operators step into machines like the 924FE and 8110TE, the conversation is shifting from whether electric can do the job, to how quickly it can be adopted on site.

For those interested in seeing any of the LiuGong range in action, please contact Angelo Francesca at McIntosh & Son Perth via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0459 275 494