College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Construction Management Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Construction Management
Date
3-2026
Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Bryan Knakiewicz, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Construction Management Department
Abstract/Summary
Heavy machinery, such as cranes, trucks, dozers, and more, are a necessity to build dams, bridges, highways, and all the other types of projects within the Heavy Civil Construction industry. Traditionally, such machinery is powered using fossil fuels - gas or diesel - which in turn affects both the efficiency and emissions of these vehicles. This study focuses on the prospects of using alternative energy - namely electricity - to power such vehicles, and these electric variants differ from their fossil fuel using versions. The methodology of this paper involved seeking out construction contractors within the Heavy Civil sector who have used, dabbled, or at least contemplated electric vehicles and gathered their experiences with them. The results of this study found that although electric-powered and hybrid variants of heavy machinery did have much lower carbon emissions compared to their gas- and diesel-powered counterparts, the electric vehicles faced difficulties specific to them depending on the job, such as long charging times or inconvenient charging locations. Although electric vehicles are more efficient and less polluting than traditional variants, they still come with their own host of issues that must be addressed before gas- and diesel-powered heavy machinery can be phased out.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cmsp/933
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