Discussing Battery, Hybrid and Hydrogen Power with Diesel Engine Expert Perkins

Perkins is a legacy leader in diesel engines for compact, off-highway equipment, but the company knows the future of compact power isn’t limited to diesel. Like many progressive power experts, Perkins is expanding beyond internal combustion with new electric, hybrid and hydrogen-capable systems. This was all on display at bauma 2025 — a giant trade fair in Munich, Germany, that only happens every three years — where we caught up with the brand to discuss the future of alternative propulsion.

“Obviously with big change comes innovation and learning, but we are leveraging lots of experience within the enterprise to really accomplish all of this,” explained Chris Goggin, product marketing manager with Perkins. At the massive show in April, Perkins unveiled a suite of next-generation power solutions. Alongside new diesel engines, Perkins introduced a battery electric power unit demonstrator and an advanced hybrid concept that can run on hydrogen. These additions reflect a continued strategic expansion from its traditional OEM products.

“With all of these different types of systems, there is a value proposition that goes with it,” said Goggin. “With hybrid systems, you are able to get lower fuel consumption savings. You’re able to increase the reliability of the machine, which helps lower the total cost of ownership. With our battery electric system, the value proposition is this neat integrated solution whereby our OEMs don’t have to reconfigure the architecture of their machines. They can use the same machine for a battery electric system but also for an engine powertrain as well.”

Drop-In Electric Replacement

At the center of the Perkins booth was a working battery electric power unit, installed in a McElroy TracStar 900i pipe fusion machine. The battery unit replaces a 3.6-liter Perkins 904 Series diesel engine without any redesign to the machine chassis. It connects using the same mechanical and electrical interfaces. That compatibility is key for OEMs looking to electrify without major reengineering costs.

“This is literally a plug-and-play solution,” said Goggin. “The mounting feet are the same. The interconnectivity of where the flywheel housing is the same. Not only that, but it’s also got patented technology to use the same machine controls. It recognizes there was an engine there. It recognizes what the original controls were asking for, translating them now for this system and then providing the right speed and torque requirements.”

The system includes a Perkins lithium-ion battery, inverters, motors and onboard chargers, all prepackaged. The entire powertrain fits within the original engine bay, offering an immediate pathway for OEMs transitioning from diesel to electric power.

Hydrogen Hybrid Flexibility

Perkins also shared details on Project Coeus; a hybrid spark-ignited engine concept based on a Perkins’ 1206 7-liter diesel engine. Project Coeus is designed to run on a range of spark-ignited fuels, including hydrogen. The prototype system — developed in partnership with Equipmake and Loughborough University — aims to deliver power output in the 180- to 280-kW range. Four fuels are being explored: hydrogen, ethanol, methanol and biomethane. By designing a spark-ignition platform, Perkins can support different combustion inputs with one core engine design.

“We are not in the game of saying this is the only solution,” said Goggin. “We want to provide the right solution. Whether it’s battery electric technologies, hybrid electric technologies and then also running on alternative fuels. Let’s not forget we can actually run our engines on drop-in fuels today such as hydrotreated vegetable oil up to a hundred percent but then also biofuel as well.”

Project Coeus is being built as a drop-in hybrid power unit. That means it’s intended to replace a diesel engine with no fundamental redesign of the host machine. Hydrogen stands out as a particularly exciting option. Unlike batteries, hydrogen can provide longer run times, fast refueling and a traditional combustion engine experience. For contractors operating in remote areas — or in applications with compact loaders or excavators that need extended uptime — hydrogen may be a viable path to zero emissions.

Diesel-Electric Hybrid Demonstrator

Alongside battery and hydrogen systems, Perkins displayed a diesel-electric hybrid demonstrator at bauma that has been optimized for improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. This solution blends a traditional diesel engine with electric assist. It’s ideal for machines with high-duty cycles and peak load variations, such as backhoes or telehandlers. By capturing and reusing braking energy or assisting during high-load events, the hybrid system reduces fuel use while maintaining uptime.

“With our hybrid system, we’re able to upscale the capability of the system all the way up to a 9-liter engine,” said Goggin. “We’re able to get to 300 kW and beyond. Now it’s all duty cycle dependent. It depends on the application, but we’re developing this system so it’s optimized and then also it helps downsize or provide more power from what you would normally typically get out of a 7-liter engine today.”

New Diesel, Still Relevant

Despite the spotlight on alternative power, Perkins made it clear: diesel isn’t disappearing. Instead, it’s evolving. The company launched the Perkins 2600 Series, a new 13-liter engine platform delivering between 456 and 690 hp. Perkins emphasized that the 2600 Series was built with fuel flexibility in mind. It supports 100 percent HVO and B20 biodiesel in aftertreatment models — or even B100 in configurations without aftertreatment. Also on display was a more powerful 106-kW variant of the 904 Series.

“We’ve increased our power by 6 percent,” said Luke Bennett, technical sales engineer with Perkins, discussing the 904J-E36TA. “We’ve increased the torque by 3 percent, but with very little in terms of hardware changes from a customer perspective. So, if a customer has an installation on a 904 today and they’re looking to increase power, then they can do that. Or we’ve got customers that might have a 1204 today, our 4.4-liter product, and they may be looking to commonize their range. They might have some 904s and 1204s, and they just want to have one engine offering. By us increasing our power density, it enables some of that.”

Modularity

Perkins’ strategy at bauma reflects a balancing act. By offering electric, hybrid options and diesel engines compatible with renewable fuels, the company is meeting OEMs and contractors where they are today — while preparing them for where they need to go in the future — all with easy-to-engineer modular products.

“These are all drop-in solutions for the OEM,” said Goggin. “It gives them the option to have the same machine with a choice to run it on diesel or alternative fuels, but also I can have a fully battery electric system and the integration is very easy. They don’t have to do anything different other than have a different part number.”

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.