Danish firm offers electrification kits for construction machinery

Danish electrification specialist Renteq is working with a number of construction equipment companies to convert diesel-powered machines to battery power.

The company, founded in 2023, was initially focused on converting commercial vans and minibuses but has now expanded into construction equipment.

It is working with Danish equipment dealer Bay Christensen A/S as a “key partner” but has also recently signed an agreement with H.P. Semler Machinery, a Hitachi dealer in Denmark.

Kristoffer Falk Qvist, CEO of Renteq. (Image: Renteq)

The company told KHL Group that its focus was on machines in the 8 to 30 tonne sizes, “where battery size, daily duty cycle, and total cost of ownership line up best.”

Volvo & Takeuchi machines

Recent projects include the conversion of a 15 tonne Volvo EWR150 wheeled excavator for contractor SHP (Scheller Hougaard & Petersen), which is due for delivery in early-to-mid August, and also a Takeuchi TB290-2 and a Caterpillar 308 mini excavator. The latter machine is for contractor NCC.

The company said its conversion pipeline includes two new Takeuchi TB290-2s, two Takeuchi 335s, two Thwaites 6 tonne dumpers, one used Hitachi ZX95USB-7, and a large order for seven Holder Muvo, the municipal trucks made by Rasco.

It told KHL that it has spoken to OEMs as well at the recent Roskilde Dyreskue event and “we’re certainly open to that kind of collaboration going forward.”

The rental market will also be a target for the business; “Converting existing machines rather than replacing them is a strong fit for rental fleets looking to offer greener options without the capital cost of new electric machines.”

The company’s model is built on partnerships with companies like machine importers, dealers and service workshops. It will supply certified conversion kits to partners and provide training and certification.

Takeuchi excavators and a Muvo municipality machine ready for conversion at Renteq’s workshop. (Image: Renteq)

“Anyone who looks at the numbers and compares them with other green transition alternatives sees the benefit immediately”, said Kristoffer Falk Qvist, founder and CEO.

“We have built a solution that works—and we are now looking for the right partners to bring it to market across Europe,”

Typical cost of conversion

Renteq’s spokesperson said a conversion will typically cost from around €40,000 to €270,000, depending on the complexity of the machine.

“In all cases, this represents a significantly lower investment than purchasing a new electric machine of equivalent size - and for certain machine types, no electric equivalent exists on the market at all, making conversion an obvious route to electrification.”

Renteq operates from a warehouse in Dragoer near Copenhagen. In addition to its construction equipment conversions, it is also converting vans and minibuses. In June it launched the Vanteq, based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

“The development phase is complete and production is now under way”, said Falk Qvist, “The first vans have already been sold in Denmark.”

A Thwaites 6t site dumper being converted for Danish contractor Zøllner. (Image: Renteq)

The Vanteq is built on an NMC battery solution available in capacities from 96 to 134 kWh, delivering a range of 350 to 500km. Payload remains unchanged at 350 km range, with a reduction to approximately 250 kg at maximum range.