12.11.2025

Retrofit electric drive

Demand for electric drive systems on mobile harbour cranes is, according to Liebherr growing rapidly, with a 400 percent increase in the number of electric drive cranes ordered since 2019.

Over the years Liebherr has shipped more than 2,000 mobile harbour cranes, of which at least 1,600 remain in operation across 130 countries.

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While a number of countries have embraced electrically driven cranes, India leads in their adoption, followed closely by Turkey. Meanwhile in Europe, the Netherlands, France and Poland are leading the charge, followed by the United States and UK.

As a result of its growing popularity Liebherr has developed a retrofit programme / kits to convert older cranes from diesel to e-drive, in order to keep pace with demand.

Liebherr points out a number of advantages, such as periods of idling between lifts. in such circumstances, electric drive models consume little to no power, while a diesel continues to idle and emits around 24kg of CO₂ an hour. When the power comes from renewable energy sources, the environmental benefits are greater still, cutting emissions by up to 100kg an hour compared with a diesel crane. Additionally, electric drives require less maintenance, helping reduce operating costs while simplifying service routines.

Liebherr-Rostock product manager Franz Findel said: “Our clients have benefitted from the integration of electric drives into our product range for over two decades. Beyond the considerable reduction in CO₂ emissions and noise levels, e-drives require minimal consumables and feature fewer moving parts – significantly reducing maintenance demands and associated costs. These advantages contribute directly to improved overall efficiency and operational reliability, without sacrificing speed or lifting capacity.”