With just five days remaining until Bauma 2025 opens its gates, the world’s largest construction equipment trade show is gearing up to reveal a wave of innovation. Ahead of the event, journalists from across the KHL Group—including International Rental News—spoke with hundreds of exhibitors to identify the key trends shaping this year’s show.
Here are the five most important themes to watch in the rental and access sectors at Bauma 2025:
1. Electrification Takes the Spotlight
Electric construction equipment is set to take center stage this year, with more battery-powered models on display than ever before.
Volvo Construction Equipment will showcase an all-electric lineup—the first zero-emissions stand in Bauma history. Hitachi Construction Machinery is presenting its largest-ever electric excavator range, with nine battery-powered models making up nearly a third of its booth. Komatsu will be conducting live demonstrations of pre-production and concept electric machines.
Electric-only manufacturer HG from Denmark is making its Bauma debut, using the platform to further its mission of achieving a 100% electric product line.
German rental leader Zeppelin Rental will also shine a light on electrification through a cutting-edge digital experience called the "Zeppelin Rental Dome." Visitors can explore topics like zero-emission job sites, digital telematics for reducing congestion, IoT-powered tools for transparency, and BIM-driven planning workflows. Among its lineup: the fully electric Caterpillar 906e wheeled loader and the Elise 700 skid steer from FirstGreen Industries.
Kubota will display a retrofit battery kit for its popular KX19 and U27-4 excavators, which can be installed by dealers in a single day—converting diesel units into electric machines quickly and cost-effectively.
2. Global Debuts from International Players
Bauma 2025 is set to be more global than ever, featuring 3,500 exhibitors from 57 countries. Compared to 2019, German exhibitors have decreased by 20%, while participation from India, Japan, China, and Korea is on the rise.
One of the most anticipated newcomers is United Rentals, the dominant force in the North American rental market. The company is now aggressively expanding into Europe, with recent acquisitions including EQIN in the Netherlands. With operations now spanning the UK, Germany, France, and the Benelux region, United Rentals views Bauma as a key opportunity to solidify its European presence.
“Now is the right time to be there—to show what we can do and let the market know that we are here and expanding,” said Andreas Rudolf, General Manager for United Rentals Europe in Germany.
Also making its first appearance is Turkish brand Motelift, launched in 2024 by long-established manufacturer Hisarlar Makina. The company will showcase a range of scissor and boom lifts, including models already in serial production and several new designs.
Meanwhile, long-time access equipment manufacturer Genie will be present through Italian distributor Tecno Gru. On display will be the hybrid-powered S-85 XC FE boom lift, reflecting the broader industry trend of Western brands adopting clean energy solutions to match their Chinese competitors.
3. More Swappable, Modular Components
With more OEMs targeting the rental market, many are turning to modular designs and swappable components that improve serviceability and reduce downtime.
Lighting tower manufacturer Trime will unveil the world’s first swappable-battery lighting tower, the X-CHANGE. Though full details will be revealed at the show, Trime says the model allows operators to replace depleted batteries on-site, eliminating the need for diesel generators.
The company will also showcase its most advanced and sustainable lighting solutions to date, including the solar-powered X-ECO Solar Lithium and the X-Box Hybrid Lithium. The latter combines high-efficiency LED heads, a Yanmar 2TNV70 diesel engine, a lithium battery pack, and a hydraulic mast system rated for wind speeds of up to 110 km/h.
Chinese manufacturer Dingli will also present new hybrid aerial lifts that use lithium batteries for both starting power and operational energy, offering extra torque and longer run times.
4. Hydrogen Technology Makes a Statement
Hydrogen-powered prototypes will be a highlight at this year’s event.
Hyundai Construction Equipment will demonstrate a working version of its hydrogen fuel cell-powered 5-tonne wheeled excavator, the HW155H. Previously shown only as a static concept in 2022, this year’s model will be active in the demonstration zone. With a fuel cell producing 70–100 kW of power, the machine can operate continuously for up to eight hours and refuel in just 20 minutes.
Aerial lift maker Niftylift will present its hydrogen-electric HR17 H2E boom lift for the first time at a global trade show. Since its launch in 2024, this zero-emission platform has been delivered to customers across Europe and the Middle East, valued for its long operating time and complete independence from charging infrastructure.
Manitou will bring 25 machines to Bauma, including a second-generation hydrogen-powered telehandler prototype. Building on the first version—introduced in 2022 with an 18-meter lift height and 4-ton capacity—this new model promises full-day autonomy using green hydrogen fuel. Two high-lift electric telehandlers, compliant with LEZ (Low Emission Zone) standards, will also be on display.
5. A Shift Toward Local Manufacturing
Manufacturers are responding to new tariffs on imported equipment—especially Chinese-made MEWPs—by reorganizing production to focus on regional supply.
Last year, Sinoboom announced that its Polish plant would exclusively produce equipment for the European market. At Bauma 2025, JLG will unveil its "Europe for Europe" strategy, realigning its production footprint to ensure machines sold in Europe are also built there.
By the end of 2025, JLG plans to produce all boom lifts above 12 meters in Europe, with some models already rolling off production lines. Scissor lifts, such as the 1230 ES, will be assembled at Power Towers in the UK, while ultra booms and EC electric booms will be manufactured at the Hinowa plant in Italy.