Equipment maker Vermeer has launched a limited pilot program for three new electric machines aimed at the landscaping and forestry sectors, as the company evaluates battery-powered alternatives to its diesel-powered equipment in the United States and Europe.
The initial rollout covers an electric brush chipper, an electric stump cutter and an electric mini skid steer, which will be supplied to selected customers through participating Vermeer dealers. The company said the controlled release is intended to support field validation and gather feedback from professional users before deciding on broader market availability.
“This lineup is a critical step in our electrification journey,” said Josh Vrieze, a senior product manager at Vermeer. “By working directly with tree care professionals in the field, we can better understand the real-world performance of these machines and refine them to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s jobsites.”
Vermeer said insights from the pilot program will inform future electric equipment development and product refinement. The company has not disclosed specifications for batteries, electric drive systems or charging, but said the electric mini skid steer is designed to deliver performance comparable to its diesel equivalent, which uses a 24.8-horsepower engine.