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Ravensdown's Amberley Store has become home to the co-operative's first electric wheel loader — a LiuGong 838TE supplied by D&H Equipment. Nicknamed "Rav-E" by the team on-site, the machine marks a significant milestone in Ravensdown's push toward more sustainable operations and lower emissions across their network.
The 838TE was delivered in early March and hit the ground running, clocking 83 hours in its first two weeks alone. Early feedback from the Amberley team has been overwhelmingly positive, with operators noting how much quieter it runs compared to the diesel machine it replaced.
For Ravensdown, the move to electric wasn't just about environmental targets — it was about finding the right technology at the right time. The co-operative had been running electric forklifts for years, but stepping up to a full-size wheel loader required careful evaluation of capacity, supplier support, and long-term reliability.
The LiuGong 838TE delivered on all fronts. With a 193 kWh battery capacity and over ten hours of continuous run time, the loader handles full working days without interruption. When it does need charging, a rapid charge from 15% to 95% takes just 58 minutes at 160kW — meaning minimal downtime between shifts.
Ravensdown's Chief Operating Officer Mike Whitty noted the machine is already proving to be a smart investment, delivering considerable savings on operating costs alongside advanced safety features and the latest onboard AI technology.
The numbers speak for themselves. The 838TE costs approximately $3 per hour to run, compared to roughly $16 per hour for its diesel equivalent. That translates to around $28,000 in annual fuel savings alone, with additional savings on maintenance given the reduced mechanical complexity of an electric drivetrain.
The loader arrived fully fertiliser-specified from the LiuGong factory, meaning Ravensdown could put it straight to work in their store environment without modification.
Ravensdown's Chief ESG & Safety Officer Anna Wilkes described the 838TE as part of a broader evaluation of electric mobile plant across the business — looking at capacity requirements, supplier partnerships, maintenance support, and sustainability outcomes. The co-operative is targeting a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, and replacing diesel loaders with electric alternatives is a key part of that journey.
Find the specifics on our LiuGong 838TE Electric wheel loader page so you can save $28,000 in fuel annually while helping the environment.
The LiuGong electric range — available exclusively through D&H Equipment in New Zealand — is designed for operators ready to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising on power or productivity. From wheel loaders to excavators, the electric lineup delivers zero-emission performance with significantly lower running costs.
If you're considering making the switch to electric equipment, talk to the D&H Equipment team about which LiuGong electric machine is right for your operation.
Get in touch: info@dhequipment.co.nz | 0800 343 7847
Explore the electric range: dhequipment.co.nz/electric-equipment