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'Purchase process should be considered a business case'
The workshop in Oss is bustling with activity to deliver emission-free machines on time and spic and span polished to the end user.

'Purchase process should be considered a business case'

Emission-free equipment profitable investment even without SSEB subsidy

Under the motto "UMS on the move," Urban Mobility Systems from Oss is working assiduously on the energy transition within the construction and transport sector. With the Netherlands as a testing ground for emission-free feed and tools, much has already been achieved and numerous innovations are still in the pipeline. "As far as that goes, 2025 promises to be another interesting year," owner Lars Kool hints.

Lars Kool
Lars Kool, founder and owner of Urban Mobility Systems.

As a specialist in the field of high-tech electrification solutions, UMS aims to give zero-emission a powerful boost. The credo "No emissions as a mission" is the main driving force behind this. To realize this, UMS carries quality and safety as its top priorities. "These core values are anchored in our business operations like DNA," said UMS' president and chief executive. All products are fully automotive certified and therefore meet the highest quality and safety standards. According to Lars, the requirements regarding safety cannot be high enough. "Next year a new standard goes into effect. The regulations around safety will become stricter and there will be better enforcement. We are very happy with that. It remains important to put a stop to cowboys within the industry and collectively strive for the highest possible quality standard."

As an alternative to a battery container, UMS offers this mobile e-Generator, which is available with either 250 or 500 kWh of battery capacity as desired.

Key to success

Cooperation is the key to success here, Lars assures, because "you have to be able to share in order to multiply. Only by successfully working together can we accelerate the energy transition." The former automotive engineer's ambition remains as a "leader" within clean technology to be a certain legacy down. "Of course it's great to win a CES Award 2022 and now the circular asphalt train ART-E is one of the three finalists for the Cobouw Award, but beyond the recognition it doesn't do much for me. What matters is that we create impact within the construction and transport world with our conversion kits, that's just relevant." Anyone entering the workshop in Oss cannot escape the impression that UMS is well on its way to realizing that ambition. Around eleven workstations are simultaneously being used to build electrical machines.

Header machine 20230124
Urban Mobility Systems carries quality and safety to automotive industry standards.

With its emission-free drivelines and conversion kits, UMS creates practical and sustainable solutions for the construction industry, from a 1.5-ton articulated loader to a 30-ton crawler excavator. "But cranes, foundation machines, asphalt rollers and telehandlers can also be electrified so cost-effectively," Lars states. Developments follow each other in rapid succession and there is plenty in the pipeline at the Osse company as well. "There are a lot of new players on the market, so it is necessary to keep innovating. A completely revamped conversion kit is on the cards for next year, and we hope to have another leading equipment manufacturer joining us soon. It will be a big change for the company, which will start the new year from a brand new factory in Arnhem. Here we can produce up to 3,000 battery kits a year and if we scale up to three shifts, even 9,000 kits."

UMS training
Since working safely according to NEN 9140 is important, UMS is helping to form the next generation of EV mechanics through EV training.

OEM to user

UMS provides solutions for OEMs, distributors and equipment owners. Manufacturers such as Bobcat, DAF, Dynapac, Hyundai, Junttan, Knikmops, Liebherr and Magni rely on UMS to expand the product range with emission-free versions of existing models. This without putting any additional burden on the in-house engineering department at this stage. "We also supply distributors of brands that do not yet have an electric offering, but are experiencing strong market demand for zero-emission," Lars says. "Finally, equipment managers from large construction companies use our electric conversion kits to retrofit existing machines within their fleets. This provides a very cost-effective solution to renew equipment and reduce operating costs through significantly lower fuel and maintenance costs."

Lars is definitely not in favor of the AANzet (for e-truck purchase) and SSEB (zero-emission construction equipment) schemes, at least not in their current form. "Subsidy is the death knell for a faster transition," he let slip. "I think the SSEB scheme rather hinders because the pot is not available to everyone. It is much better to subsidize on the procurement side, i.e. not by financially supporting the purchase but rewarding deployment with a higher hourly rate for zero-emission equipment, paid from the subsidy pot. That way, end users will start to view the procurement process more as a business case and ensure that the investment comes out in terms of cost. If not, it won't work out. Now you already see that the Netherlands, after all the testing ground for zero-emission equipment, is being overtaken on all sides."

Liebherr Van de Beeten
Van de Beeten took delivery in July of a battery-electric Liebherr 922E, which immediately went to work on a demolition project at M. Heezen.

Counterbalancing

Therefore, UMS has long since ceased to focus on the Dutch market alone and is profiling itself as a global player. From its branches in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and North America, the company wants to spread its wings further around the globe. By operating worldwide, the clean-tech engineering company is showing itself to be an attractive supplier of battery-electric drives and conversion kits for major manufacturers. Australia and Argentina are the next stops on Lars' mission. This choice is not out of the blue, because as producers of raw materials for battery technology, it is easier to counterbalance China's absolute dominance this way. "We are in the middle of an industrial war. By connecting quality people we can make a fist and preserve the knowledge and skills that have been here for so long."

UMS charging stations
UMS supplies several German-made fastchargers, with the top model capable of recharging both AC (up to 44 kW) and DC (twice 150 kW).

To support customers in using emission-free machines in the field, Urban Mobility Systems also offers charging and energy storage solutions that enable "off-grid" storage and grid balancing as a temporary or (semi-)permanent solution. The e-Generator is considered the latest development in this field. A mobile charging station that is available with 250 or 500 kWh of battery capacity and offers different charging options. "The first units have already been sold," it sounds with appropriate pride. "As a permanent fixture, we supply high-quality fast chargers from Germany. Several versions are available, with the top model featuring a 44 kW AC connection plus two ports for DC fast charging up to 150 kW. Behind the fastcharger are modular battery packs can be connected for additional capacity, and the price is significantly below what is common in the market."   

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