5 things to look out for at Bauma 2025

In the build up to Bauma, journalists across KHL Group, which publishes International Rental News, met and spoke with hundreds of exhibitors to find out what to expect at the world’s largest construction equipment show.

In today’s Rental Briefing, we have distilled those conversations into a list of 5 things to look out for in the rental and access markets:

Zeppelin Rental’s Zeppelin Rental Dome. Image: Zeppelin Rental

1. Electrification takes centre stage

This year’s Bauma is set to see more electric machines on display than ever before.

Volvo Construction Equipment will feature only electric equipment on its stand, which it says will be the first-ever zero-emission-only line-up at Bauma. Meanwhile Hitachi Construction Machinery is promising its largest ever electric excavator lineup comprising nine zero-emissions models – almost a third of the manufacturer’s display. And Komatsu says it will be demonstrating its electric offering with live demonstrations of pre-production and concept machines. And Danish dumper specialist HG, which has been an electric-only manufacturer for several years says it will use its Bauma debut to accelerate the drive towards 100% electric machinery.

German rental giant Zeppelin Rental says it will use Bauma to discuss the electrification of the industry and emission-free machines via an immersive presentation in the so-called Zeppelin Rental Dome digital experience.

Some 180 members of the Zeppelin team will be on hand to demonstrate sustainable technology including an electric 906e Caterpillar wheeled loader and an electric skid steer loader - the Elise 700 from FirstGreen Industries.

The company will offer presentations and guided stand tours to visitors, focusing on topics such as: zero-emission construction sites; telematics for reducing traffic congestion; online tools for improving efficiency and transparency, internet of things (IoT)-based digital solutions; and Building Information Modelling (BIM)-based construction site planning.

Elsewhere excavator specialist Kubota will be showing a battery power retrofit kit for two of its best-selling machines, the KX19 and the U27-4 which can be fitted to a diesel-powered machine by a dealer in one day.

2. More Bauma debuts – especially from overseas firms

According to the show’s organisers, Bauma 2025 will be more international than ever. The 3,500 exhibitors taking space this year will be coming from 57 different countries around the world. Compared with the previous show in 2019 there will be 20% fewer exhibitors from Germany while increases in numbers from India, Japan, China and Korea.

One major new entrant to look out for this year in the rental sector will be United Rentals, a dominant force in North America, marking a significant milestone in its European expansion.

A household name in North America, United Rentals says its brand recognition in Europe has been growing steadily. The company has expanded its footprint across the UK, Germany, France, and the Benelux region, recently acquiring EQIN in the Netherlands. Its decision to exhibit at Bauma signals a clear intent to solidify its presence in the European market.

Andreas Rudolf, General Manager Germany for United Rentals Europe, says that Bauma presents a crucial opportunity to raise awareness among European customers. “Now is the right time to be there, to show what we can do and let the market know that we are here and expanding,” he told IRN.

Industry insiders will be watching United Rentals closely for clues about its next moves in Europe. The company already operates 30 branches across key markets and continues to explore further opportunities.

While it has primarily focused on industrial applications, there will be plenty wondering whether construction-focused rental solutions could become a bigger part of its European strategy.

The new Genie S-85 XC FE will be launched at the ARA Show. (Photo: Genie).

Another Bauma first timer will be Turkey-based Motelift, which launched in 2024. The OEM will have a range of scissors and booms on its stand, including models already in serial production, alongside other lifts that will be expanding the manufacturer’s range. Motelift is the latest brand of parent company of 50-year-old Hisarlar Makina, which produces a range of products from agricultural and construction machinery to defence industry equipment and rail systems with its 50 years of experience, brings a new breath to the sector.

At the other extreme, veteran mobile elevating platform manufacturer Genie will appear be at Bauma, even though it has not got its own stand this year. The S-85 XC FE will be on display on the stand of Tecno Gru, the authorised distributor for Genie and Terex Cranes based in Italy. The model also represents a move by the traditional manufacturers in North America and Europe to match the green-energy units of their Chinese counterparts.

Launched in January, Genie’s newest boom lifts, the hybrid S-85 XC FE and E booms, are designed to offer what the industry is calling for, including high utilization, increased job site access and easy maintenance. “These boom lifts are a complete upgrade, with thoughtful engineering and more than 80 quality improvements with the goal of keeping our machine in the field longer with fewer service intervals,” said Dominik Damm, Director, Product Management, Booms Portfolio.

3. More ‘swappability’ and shared components from OEMs

With more OEMs targeting the rental market, this year’s Bauma is seeing an increased focus on firms highlighting products which either share common components or which can be easily swapped with replacements while on site.

Lighting tower specialist Trime has said it will launch the world’s first battery-swappable lighting tower at Bauma 2025.

While the company is holding back further information until Bauma, it said the X-CHANGE will allow operators to swap depleted batteries on-site, ensuring uninterrupted lighting without the need for fuel-powered generators.

It said it represents a “game-changing solution for rental companies and contractors seeking to optimise efficiency and sustainability.”

Elsewhere on its stand, the company will display what it describes as its most advanced and sustainable lighting towers to date, including its latest solar-powered lighting tower the X-ECO Solar Lithium.

Included in this is the Trime X-Box Hybrid Lithium, a floor-mounted lighting tower equipped with 100W high-efficiency LED heads.

The unit features a Yanmar 2TNV 70 diesel engine, a 3.5kVA alternator, and an advanced lithium battery system. Its hydraulic lifting system extends up to 8.5 meters, and the structure is designed for wind stability up to 110km/h.

Lifts with mild-hybrid technology will debut on Dingli’s stand. Their lithium battery can be used as a starter battery, can also be charged during daily operation allowing the machine to provide additional torque.

4. Hydrogen power on display 

Bauma 2025 will see several new hydrogen-powered machine prototypes on display.

Among the most eye-catching is Hyundai Construction Equipment’s 18-strong line up of machines which includes a pre-production version of the manufacturer’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered 5-tonne wheeled excavator, the HW155H. The machine, which was displayed at Bauma 2022 as a static model, will be working in the demonstration area at this year’s event. The fuel cell delivers between 70 and 100 kW of power which is sent to the electric drive motors and the electrically driven hydraulic pumps. Onboard fuel H2 fuel capacity supports up to eight hours of continuous operation, while refuelling takes about 20 minutes.

Niftylift’s Hydrogen-Electric HR17 H2E. (Photo: Niftylift)

Meanwhile mobile elevating work platform maker Niftylift will be displaying its Hydrogen-Electric HR17 H2E in pride of place at its stand.

The machine, which launched in 2024 and is being exhibited at a global exhibition for the first time, is powered by an onboard hydrogen fuel cell. The power configuration enables operation over extended periods, even when no charging facilities are available.

Since its launch, HR17 H2E units have been delivered to users in the UK, Germany, France and the Middle East, as customers look for equipment that can help them meet their sustainability objectives. The unit’s onboard hydrogen fuel cells offer zero-emissions operation and emit only water vapour.

Manitou’s 25 machines on show will include a new hydrogen telehandler concept. After presenting an initial prototype of a fixed telehandler with an 18-metre lifting height and 4-tonne load capacity in December 2022, the company is taking the next at Bauma with a second telehandler prototype powered by green hydrogen via a fuel cell, guaranteeing a zero-emission solution. There will also be two high lift electric telehandlers, which comply with Low Emission Zone (LEZ) regulations and offer a full day’s working autonomy.

5. More localised production

Another topic is the move to localised production. The introduction of tariffs on MEWPs entering the EU and the United States from China have led manufacturers to restructure their production footprint. Last year Sinoboom announced that its plant in Poland would produce equipment for Europe alone and at Bauma this year JLG is introducing its Europe for Europe approach, which will see the company realign its manufacturing footprint so that products sold into the European market are also produced on the continent.

The production changes at the company will take place in stages and will be in place by the end of the year. It will see boom lifts of 12-meter working height and above produced in Europe, with units already coming off the line.

Scissor lifts will also be produced in Europe this year. For example production of the 1230 ES will be produced at the company’s Power Towers division in the UK. Ultra booms will be built at the Hinowa plant, along the EC booms already manufactured there.