The official launch of the Rechargeable Fleet – Heavy Machinery project, an initiative led by the Institut du véhicule innovant (IVI) to demonstrate, in a neutral and factual way, how electric equipment performs under real operating conditions.
At Gymdex, innovation is measured by concrete gains in the field: better energy efficiency, lower operating costs and equipment able to meet the demands of today's and tomorrow's job sites. With that in mind, on April 30 we took part in the official launch of the Rechargeable Fleet – Heavy Machinery project, an initiative led by the Institut du véhicule innovant (IVI) whose goal is to demonstrate, in a neutral and factual way, how electric equipment performs under real operating conditions.
A project built on facts rather than promises
The project's first event was held at the Centre national de conduite d'engins de chantier (CNCEC) in Lévis. The day brought together industry representatives, partners, technical specialists and construction-sector stakeholders around a common goal: to better understand the issues, challenges and benefits tied to the electrification of heavy machinery.
The project's approach is clear: the point is not to win companies over with a marketing pitch, but to concretely demonstrate what electric technology can achieve in the field.
"The goal isn't to convince. The goal is to demonstrate."
That philosophy aligns perfectly with Gymdex's values.
Gymdex: among the first to join the project
Gymdex chose to get actively involved from the project's earliest stages. Being among the first partners says a lot about how we see innovation: helping develop tomorrow's solutions rather than waiting for them to become the norm.
Over the next two years, we will work alongside the project's partners and our customers to demonstrate the real advantages of electric heavy machinery across different use cases. Our team will also contribute its technical expertise to support companies through their transition to higher-performing, more cost-effective equipment.
Technology designed for performance
Electrification does not mean compromising on power. The new LiuGong electric equipment offered by Gymdex is built to deliver the performance job sites expect while considerably reducing fuel and maintenance costs.
At the event, participants were able to discover the machines' technical features, including:
- electric motors dedicated to the hydraulic functions;
- an independent motor for moving the equipment;
- fully configurable parameters, so the controls can be adjusted to the operator's preferences (braking, acceleration, control sensitivity).
That flexibility delivers a precise operating experience while optimizing productivity.
Benefits that go well beyond emissions
One of the project's main objectives is to measure the real benefits of electric machines. Among the advantages already observed:
- a significant drop in maintenance costs, thanks to fewer mechanical components;
- far more economical energy consumption than diesel;
- less noise on job sites;
- improved operator comfort;
- a return on investment that can be reached quickly, depending on the application.
Partnership at the heart of the transition
Electrifying heavy machinery is a major shift for the industry, and no single player can pull it off alone. The Rechargeable Fleet project brings together several organizations that want to accelerate the transition by sharing their knowledge and experience.
Collaboration between partners creates an environment where innovation can happen while reducing the risk for companies looking to adopt these new technologies. For Gymdex, this collaboration is a unique opportunity to keep building our expertise while guiding our customers toward solutions suited to their operational realities.
Gymdex, exclusive LiuGong distributor in Quebec
Since 2007, Groupe Gymdex has become a key reference in heavy machinery in Quebec. Founded by Denis and Yannick Charbonneau, this second-generation family business specializes in the sale, repair and after-sales service of equipment for:
- excavation;
- construction;
- snow removal;
- forestry;
- demolition;
- recycling.
The first North American LiuGong distributor and the brand's exclusive dealer in Quebec, Gymdex offers a complete range of rugged equipment including excavators, hydraulic shovels, wheel loaders and electric models built for the market's new requirements. Now joined by Kime Charbonneau, Groupe Gymdex continues to grow with a vision focused on service excellence.
Innovation continues
At Gymdex, we believe the future of heavy machinery lies in solutions that are higher-performing, more economical and more sustainable. Taking part in the Rechargeable Fleet – Heavy Machinery project is a new step in that commitment.
In the coming months, we will keep sharing the results obtained in the field and the lessons learned from the project, to help Quebec companies better understand the potential of electric machinery.