According to Electrive, Danfoss engineers are looking at combining electric systems with the company's Digital Displacement technology, which could reduce machinery energy consumption by as much as 50%.

By doing this, experts believe that the batteries that power these machines can be smaller, reducing weight and overall charging times.

Researchers were able to determine that up to 70% of an excavator's power is wasted in the hydraulics system, which is where Danfoss can start to improve on efficiency.

Niall Caldwell, senior director of R&D, Digital Displacement, Danfoss Power Solutions, said that "for a large excavator, the daily power consumption is so high, the batteries required are the equivalent to as many as 10 typical electric car batteries, which could cost as much as the machine itself. The key, we believe, is efficiency."

The US-based company is already building a 25 million GBP facility in Scotland, where it will be commercializing its Digital Displacement technology and electric powertrains.

The facility, called the "Decarbonization Hub" could open as soon as next year.

Leif Bruhn, head of Digital Displacement, Danfoss Power Solutions, said that "our new UK facility will be an important hub for Danfoss decarbonization programs."

Danfoss Power Solutions has been working for some time already on electrifying maritime devices, but starting 2018, the US company wanted to focus on mining and construction equipment as well, with the help of German mining specialized firm Paus Maschinenfabrik.