EDM e-mobility Integrates Electric Power into Hitachi Construction Machinery

With its electric conversion solutions and experienced team, EDM Dış Ticaret plays a leading role in converting diesel construction machinery to electric systems. The company has signed an international supplier agreement with Hitachi Construction Machinery. Zafer Ergen, General Manager of EDM Dış Ticaret, stated that they have taken action to begin the electric conversion of Hitachi’s diesel excavators. “The conversion of diesel construction machines to electric will provide significant added value both for our country and globally. We are fully committed to doing our part together with Hitachi,” he said.

Founded in 2010, EDM Dış Ticaret began its electric conversion operations inspired by the initials of “Electrical Drive Machine,” partnering with Atlas GmbH and becoming the Turkey representative of E-Crane. In line with the growing demand both in Turkey and worldwide, EDM Dış Ticaret has successfully completed the electric conversion of over 200 diesel construction machines to date. The company has maintained its position in the industry by successfully developing its own R&D-based systems and components, and continues to advance its work in parallel with ongoing conversion projects.

Zafer ERGEN | General Manager, EDM e-mobility

“More than 200 construction machines have been converted to electric.”

Stating that EDM Dış Ticaret’s mission is to reduce the carbon footprint by converting diesel-powered construction machinery—used across many sectors—into electric systems with zero emissions in a rapidly industrializing and climate-affected world, General Manager Zafer Ergen said:

“Our company was founded 12 years ago with the goal of implementing electric conversion in construction machines. From the very beginning, our vision was to convert a diesel construction machine to electric for the first time in Turkey and globally. To date, more than 200 machines have been successfully converted to electric. When our clients bring us their diesel machines, we deliver them back as fully electric. For companies operating in ports and mining areas, we provide turnkey conversion solutions.”

Electric Conversions Offer a Range of Advantages

EDM Dış Ticaret provides electric conversion services that reduce carbon emissions by approximately 35% and fuel costs by 65–85%, in compliance with ISO 14064-1 standards. The company also ensures high customer satisfaction through post-conversion service support. Sharing detailed information about incoming requests, Zafer Ergen continued:

“We initially started implementing electric conversion systems in port equipment. For about eight years, we carried out the conversion of port cranes from diesel to electric. Over the past three to four years, we’ve expanded our services to include the conversion of construction machinery used in quarries and mining operations.

The advantages of converting machines to electric compared to diesel begin with zero carbon emissions. Secondly, there are major benefits in terms of operating costs. Electric conversion ensures continuity in operation. What do we mean by continuity? Among the benefits for our customers are less maintenance, fewer repairs, reduced downtime, fewer malfunctions, and lower costs overall.

With these conversions, we significantly contribute to reducing the carbon footprint we leave on the environment, while also helping our customers achieve substantial financial savings. By modernizing their machines, we enable them to work more efficiently with fewer breakdowns under the new system.”

A Collaboration Was Established Between Hitachi and EDM Dış Ticaret

EDM Dış Ticaret, having signed an international supplier agreement with Hitachi Construction Machinery, will carry out electric conversion systems for all Hitachi machines both in Turkey and abroad as part of this collaboration. Providing insights into the scope of the agreement, Zafer Ergen stated:

“We recently signed an international supplier agreement with Hitachi. Up to now, we have completed over 200 custom projects. The conversion of our machines from diesel to electric is highly significant for both our country and the environment.

We have been developing our electric conversion solutions internally for the past 12 years. Currently, we are conducting feasibility studies on trucks. We are working at full speed to convert diesel trucks into battery-powered electric vehicles. In fact, we will soon be announcing this development publicly in Turkey.”

“We Are Ready to Do Our Part”

Sharing his views on the future of electric construction machinery in Turkey, Zafer Ergen stated:

“The vehicles we use are now beginning to transition to electric. Naturally, the same exhaust gases and carbon emissions are significantly released into the environment by construction machines as well. As a company, we believe that with the electric conversion of construction machinery—both by global manufacturers and engineering firms like ours—this field will progress significantly in Turkey, and eventually, diesel will largely be phased out.

Electric machines, whether converted or imported into Turkey, fall into different classes. Globally, construction machinery manufacturers commonly produce 70, 90, and 120-ton excavators for use in mining operations. The majority of our clients also use machines within this category. Electrifying these machines will provide considerable added value to our country. With electric power, machines will operate at lower costs, and in a safer, healthier manner. Together with our partnership with Hitachi, we are fully committed to doing our part.”

The Electric Conversion Process Takes Approximately Three Months

Zafer Ergen emphasized that EDM Dış Ticaret does not sell brand-new machines, stating:

“We carry out the electric conversion of all types of construction machines using our capacity, expertise, and equipment. The conversion of a diesel machine to electric typically takes around three months. We first examine the machine provided by the client and identify suitable components. Then, our engineering team handles the design phase specific to that machine. Finally, our team completes the implementation and delivers the machine on a turnkey basis.

We take pride in giving new life to idle or end-of-life machines, allowing them to return to operation. We are proud and honored to lead this effort.”