Energy, Fuel Economy and Emissions

Product Innovation

We provide the products and services needed to build a better, more sustainable world.

We are proud to support our customers in their sustainability and climate journey.

Our teams are developing some of Caterpillar’s most fuel-efficient, lower carbon-emitting products. We began offering generator sets configured to use 100% hydrogen and automated fleets of mining machinery. Already, these solutions are improving safety, productivity and sustainability, with many product and service solutions still in development.

Here are a few of the products and collaborations we announced in 2021 to help our customers meet their bold business and sustainability goals and our 2030 sustainability goal for new products with sustainability benefits.

2030 GOAL

Product Emissions & Energy Efficiency

Our customers’ needs align with our own goal for 100% of new Caterpillar products to be more sustainable than the previous generation. Specifically, products that meet one or more of these four criteria:

reduced waste or improved safety for our customers (e.g., less maintenance waste)
improved design for rebuild/remanufacturing, providing our customers options to extend the life of their machine
lower emissions and/or
improved efficiency.

That goal requires a relentless focus on product innovation, shared by a diverse team of driven and experienced Caterpillar employees.

Building Better Jobsites — Construction Industries

The construction industry demands sustainable solutions that are tough, reliable and versatile. From navigating narrow doorways to climbing rocky hills, our range of fuel-efficient products help our customers get the job done.

Commitment to more sustainable products

Customers can reduce emissions up to 45% utilizing products with advanced technology such as the D6 XE, 966 XE, 972 XE, 980 XE, 982 XE, 320 or 336. Further, customers can utilize low-carbon intensity fuels in a majority of our Construction Industries products allowing for an opportunity to reduce lifecycle emissions up to 85%. What’s next? We are integrating advanced power sources into the next generation of products to help customers continue to meet their sustainability goals while also delivering the requirements of the jobsite and application.

Helping construction customers reduce emissions today

For the first time in the 10- to 12-ton medium wheel loader size class, the Cat 980 XE and 982 XE models now feature the Caterpillar designed and manufactured continuous variable transmission (CVT). Introduced in mid-2021, these medium wheel loaders include an expanded technology platform helping customers lower emissions with improved fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance costs. Deep system integration of the Cat CVT, engine, hydraulic and cooling systems significantly improve fuel efficiency up to 35%. The Next Gen Cat 966 XE and 972 XE Wheel Loaders — updated in late 2021—also improve fuel efficiencies up to 35% compared to the previous powershift models. Prolonged service intervals plus efficiencies gained through integration of the CVT powertrain result in even lower maintenance costs further reducing operating costs.

Expanding Cat Command, enhancing safe machine operation

The expansion of Cat Command for Excavating and Command for Dozing provides remote-control operation for select Cat excavators and dozers. Removing the operator from the machine and operating environments, Cat Command enhances safe machine operation, while reducing operator fatigue to increase productivity. Deeply integrated with machine electronics, Command controls allow users to experience the same machine response as if they were operating from inside the cab, allowing a high level of productivity to be maintained from a safe distance.

Designing for the Future

As our customers know, the point of purchase is only the first step in a Caterpillar product’s lifecycle. We leverage data analytics, remote monitoring, annual product updates and other services to keep products running smoothly and build in value along the way. Our engineers design products to reduce waste and enable a more circular economy. That’s why we offer to restore products to like-new condition through our cost-saving and life-extending remanufacturing offerings and Cat Certified Rebuild programs.

Revolutionizing Resource Industries

Our technology-dependent world relies on mined minerals — especially when it comes to powering emerging renewable energy solutions. In 2021, we focused on supporting sustainable mining with new battery electric and automated equipment options. We continue to evolve our portfolio through partnerships and acquisitions.

First of Its Kind in Underground Mining

Recognizing the demand for a battery electric vehicle in deep, difficult-to-ventilate underground mines, we have introduced a diesel-electric underground loader, along with the forward-looking R1700 XE — a high productivity, zero exhaust emissions loader with the industry’s only onboard battery and a portable equipment charger. It will complement a first-of-its-kind battery electric, zero exhaust emissions underground truck to provide a fully electric underground load and haul solution.

FUEL EFFICIENT LARGE DOZERS

The D11 XE large dozer is our highest producing, most fuel-efficient Cat dozer ever. Equipped with an electric drive powertrain, it reduces fuel consumption by up to 25% with a machine lifespan up to 20% longer. We also updated our D10 series dozers, which now use 4% less fuel while offering a 3% boost in productivity.

REDUCED EMISSIONS LARGE WHEEL LOADERS

The Cat 992 Large Wheel Loader has set the standard in its size class for more than 50 years. In 2021, we raised the bar with our new 992, which has been demonstrated to produce up to 32% less emissions than its 992K counterpart.

CAT MINESTAR™ SOLUTIONS

In 2021, we unveiled the first electric drive model to join our expanding Command for autonomous haulage fleet, the 794 AC. This mining truck/haul truck offers up to 8% better payload and faster speed-on-grade. We also introduced the 777G autonomous water truck, which helps operators keep access roads safe while cutting water consumption by up to 50%.

Cutting Carbon through Customer Collaborations

Nouveau Monde Graphite announced their plans to build the world’s first zero-emissions, open-pit mine in Canada. It’s a transformative project we’re supporting as the exclusive supplier of all-electric mining fleet.

We’re also supporting customers BHP and Rio Tinto in their goals to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. BHP will have the opportunity for first access to Caterpillar zero-emissions trucks at various development stages, and hands on learning opportunities to ensure successful deployment at their sites. For Rio Tinto, the opportunity to purchase the world’s first operational deployment of approximately 35 new Caterpillar 793 zero-emissions autonomous haul trucks once development is complete.

For our customer Newmont, we entered into a strategic alliance which will deliver a fully connected, automated, zero carbon emitting end-to-end mining system. The agreement includes the rapid deployment of an all-electric autonomous haulage fleet to support their operations on two continents. And we’re also developing our first battery electric zero exhaust emissions underground truck, which will complete our fully electric underground load and haul solution.

Powering the Energy Transition — Energy & Transportation

As industries from transportation to technology embrace renewable energy, we’re delivering market-driven solutions to meet customers’ sustainability needs. We continue to evolve our portfolio through partnerships and acquisitions.

Hydrogen Demonstration

We’re working with Chevron to develop hydrogen demonstration projects in transportation and stationary power applications, including prime power. Together, we are confirming the feasibility and performance of hydrogen for use as a commercially viable alternative to traditional fuels for line-haul rail and marine vessels. As part of the collaboration, we are also working to demonstrate a hydrogen-fueled locomotive and associated hydrogen-fueling infrastructure.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction

By combining CarbonPoint Solutions’ patented technology with Caterpillar Oil & Gas solutions, we can further reduce GHG emissions while helping our customers meet their climate-related objectives. CarbonPoint Solutions provides technology to concentrate and capture CO2 for utilization or sequestration, with applications including engines and turbines at oil and gas sites, distributed power and industrial plants, and waste-to-energy sites.

Hydrogen-Fueled Gensets

In response to customer interest in hydrogen, we announced that some Caterpillar gas generator sets are being configured to use 100% hydrogen on a design-to-order basis. We’ll also have some commercial sets configured to operate on natural gas blended with up to 25% hydrogen.

Exploring Low-Carbon Solutions

We entered a memorandum of understanding with Certarus to explore opportunities to bring lower carbon energy solutions to our customers. We are working together to advance the use of lower carbon fuels, including conventional and renewable natural gas and hydrogen.

Providing Sustainable Energy Solutions Around the World

We are providing companies and communities around the world with innovative, sustainable solutions. In Sweden, Microsoft is progressing toward its carbon-negative goal with new data centers powered by 100% renewable energy. Yet, in case of maintenance or a grid outage, they need sustainable standby power. Enter our Cat C175-20 and C18 generator sets, which run on locally refined Preem Evolution Diesel Plus — the world’s first eco-labeled liquid fuel, which contains over 50% renewable raw materials.

In Rwanda, methane gas at the bottom of Lake Kivu posed a serious risk of rising to the surface and triggering a gas explosion. In response, we partnered with local private and public officials to deliver 19 MWM branded gas generator sets that are transforming the methane gas-water mixture into a sustainable energy resource. The power plant supported by the generator sets will go live in 2022.

Innovation is Key to a Sustainable Future

Our 97-year history of sustainable innovation fuels our vision and determination to enable our customers’ success. Our goal to make each product more sustainable than the last has no finish line.

We’re thinking bigger and broader about the solutions we can deliver, and we’re looking further into the future to anticipate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond reducing emissions, and includes prioritizing safety, reducing waste and fulfilling society’s need for infrastructure. We are inspired to deliver for our customers and communities each step of the way. Together, we can build a better, more sustainable world for generations to come.