Off-highway equipment includes construction, mining and agricultural machinery, and vehicle used in these industries. According to a press release from Caterpillar, the company has been investigating the feasibility of using electric power in its off-highway products for some time. The prototypes represent the next step in that process.

The release notes that the prototypes are based on the company’s 988K wheel loader and D5 dozer. The powertrains for both have been electrified, and the company is now testing them “to better understand the potential for electric drive in Caterpillar products.”

The benefits of electric power in off-highway equipment are similar to those in passenger cars and trucks. Electric drivetrains are more efficient than internal combustion engines, and they produce zero emissions. That’s important in applications where the equipment is being used in enclosed spaces, such as mines, or where air quality is a concern, such as in agricultural operations.

Caterpillar says it will continue to test the prototypes and gather data on their performance. The company is also working with “key suppliers and customers” to get feedback on the feasibility of electric-powered off-highway equipment. There’s no word on when, or if, the company plans to bring any electrified off-highway products to market.