ProjectTETRA: Case unveils world’s first biomethane-powered wheel loader

Case Construction Equipment has revealed the world’s first biomethane-powered wheel loader at this year’s Bauma event in Munich, Germany.

Known as ProjectTETRA, the wheel loader runs entirely on alternative and renewable fuel, described by the company as a ‘pragmatic solution for the construction industry’.

The biomethane-powered engine, which has been designed by FPT Industrial, delivers a maximum of 230hp and matches the power and torque of an equivalent diesel engine in the Case 821G wheel loader.

“We’ve been researching sustainable fuel sources for our construction machinery for many years,” said Carl Gustaf Goränsson, president of construction at Case. ““Biomethane was the most logical choice for the wheel loader. We needed a fuel that could provide the drive and power that our customers demand. The fuel needed to be readily available, easy to refuel and power through a full day of work. We wouldn’t comprise on performance, so we set our designers quite a challenge.

“We were fortunate to work very closely with sister brand FPT Industrial, pioneers in developing sustainably-fuelled powertrains, with over 40,000 gas-powered engines produced to date. This technology is already tried and tested in other CNH Industrial brands as there are some 28,000 methane-powered IVECO trucks and IVECO BUS vehicles on the roads today.”

The biomethane-powered wheel loader offers considerable emission reductions, including 95% less carbon dioxide, 90% less nitrogen dioxide and 99% lower particulate matter than an equivalent diesel engine, according to the company.

According to Goränsson, the wheel loader will also be able to run on network methane if biomethane production is unavailable.