City Boy: World’s first zero-emission hybrid mobile crane

Netherlands-based crane manufacturer Spierings Mobile Cranes has launched the world’s first hybrid mobile crane. Combining zero-emission driving and operational capabilities, the new SK487-AT3 City Boy crane provides a flexible solution for urban environments and could play a key role in alleviating the European nitrogen emission issues.

The launch of the City Boy was attended by representatives from the business community and government, while four Dutch crane manufacturers were presented with their first crane. ‘Hoisting equipment manufacturers and the construction industry have been eagerly looking forward to this moment’, says CEO Koos Spierings.

His company, based in the town of Oss in Brabant province, has already received 60 orders for the new crane to date. Spierings: ‘It shows there’s a substantial demand out there for this type of vehicle, which I would attribute both to how compact and flexible it is – making it highly suited for working in city centers – and to the fact that it is an effective solution to the problem of high nitrogen emissions. This will enable crane rental companies and construction companies to focus completely on what they do best: building.’

‘The Tesla of the building industry’

Another attendee at the Oss launch was George Raessens, the deputy chairman of the trade association for the Dutch construction industry, Bouwend Nederland. Raessens called the launch of the City Boy a milestone for the construction and infrastructure industries, especially in light of the nitrogen emission crisis.

‘We’re on the cusp of a new era, both because we now have a vehicle with zero-emission capabilities – for which there is a huge demand – and because this will inspire the market and the political class to follow suit. You can consider this crane the “Tesla of the building industry.” When the Tesla first launched six years ago it was a technological breakthrough, and now they’ve become a fixture on our roads, being literally everywhere. These cranes are expected to follow a similar trajectory.’

Market response

‘This is a key development, particularly given the current nitrogen emission crisis. It offers new opportunities for both us and our customers.’

Ron Nederhoff, managing director of Kraanbedrijf Nederhoff (Gouda, Netherlands)

‘Local authorities keep raising their environmental requirements. They intend to phase out all fossil-fuel vehicles by 2025, and the City Boy is really the only solution.’

Maarten Verschoor, managing director of M. Verschoor Kraanverhuur (Sassenheim, Netherlands)

‘We believed in this technology from day one, and couldn’t be more excited that it was developed and manufactured right here in the Netherlands.’

Rutger Alferink, managing director of Koninklijke Saan (Diemen, Netherlands)

‘For the immediate future, this crane provides a solution to the nitrogen emission crisis, while in the longer term it is a flexible crane with a very high residual value compared to other cranes.’

Bob Bruijsten, managing director of Kuiphuis Kraanverhuur (Oldenzaal, Netherlands)