Mammoet Receives World's First Grove Plug-in Hybrid All-Terrain Crane

Mammoet has taken delivery of the first 165-ton Grove Plug-in Hybrid all-terrain crane, the GMK5150L-1e. The handover of the new Grove GMK5150L-1e took place in Breda, The Netherlands, at Manitowoc's Dutch sales and service facility.

Plug-In Hybrid Technology

The Grove GMK5150L-1e features a 197 ft. main boom and is part of Grove's electrified all-terrain crane product line. Its sister model, the GMK5150XLe, equipped with a 225.4 ft. main boom, was unveiled at bauma 2025.

With a maximum lifting capacity of 165 tons, the GMK5150L-1e provides emission-free lifting operations without compromising performance or mobility, according to Grove. The crane retains the full flexibility of a conventional diesel-powered all-terrain crane while offering electric operation of the superstructure via a 160 kWh battery pack, allowing zero-emission lifting on site.

‘Charge-While-Driving' 165-ton Plug-In Hybrid All-Terrain Crane

Customer-centric engineering was a key focus throughout the development process. Manitowoc's engineering team worked closely with customers to gain a deep understanding of real-world jobsite requirements. The Mammoet team's valuable feedback was thoroughly evaluated and used in designing the crane. As a result of this partnership, sufficient battery capacity was ensured to maintain continuous operations and optimal performance.

"The close collaboration with Mammoet was highly appreciated and positively received by the entire Grove team," said Andreas Cremer, vice president, product management, mobile cranes of Manitowoc. "We look forward to continuing this exchange in the future. The battery capacity was precisely sized based on a comprehensive job profile analysis to ensure full operational coverage. Combined with the ‘charge-while-driving' feature, the new Grove Plug-in Hybrid cranes deliver exceptional flexibility and independence — capable of handling even the toughest jobs without relying on grid charging."

The GMK5150L-1e/GMK5150XLe Plug-in Hybrid cranes offer multiple charging options, including DC fast charging, 32A/400 V AC charging and a 163 kW on-board generator. A unique feature of the crane is its independent 'charge-while-driving' capability, making the GMK5150L-1e and GMK5150XLe the most versatile Plug-in Hybrid all-terrain cranes on the market. This allows the battery to be recharged while traveling to and from the job site, significantly enhancing operational flexibility.

"We are extremely proud of the development of the Plug-in Hybrid GMK cranes," said Cremer. "The independent ‘charge-while-driving' function gives us a clear competitive advantage and sets new standards in electrified crane technology and sustainable heavy lifting. It helps our customers meet — and exceed — both commercial and environmental objectives."

Sustainability, Operational Reliability

For Mammoet, sustainability is a decisive factor in project execution.

"Sustainability is one of the key drivers of our business," said Eelco de Leeuw, operations manager of Mammoet. "In the Netherlands and beyond, requirements are increasing rapidly. Cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague already enforce zero-emission targets for many projects, and carbon footprints are increasingly evaluated before contracts are awarded."

At the same time, limited charging infrastructure remains a challenge on many job sites.

"Charging facilities can be unavailable, and that is why we are delighted to receive a Plug-in Hybrid all-terrain crane that can charge while driving and has its own on-board generator," said de Leeuw. "Even without electricity at the job site, the GMK5150L-1e allows us to reliably complete our projects. Most importantly, it operates electrically and independently."

Operator-Focused Design

Beyond sustainability, operator comfort was another key factor driving Mammoet's purchasing decision. The GMK5150L-1e offers significantly lower noise levels during operation, creating a quieter, more comfortable working environment while maintaining full all-terrain crane performance.

"Through Manitowoc's Voice of the Customer program, we actively contributed to the development of this crane. Our technical teams and crane operators were involved from the very beginning of the GMK5150L-1e/GMK5150XLe project, providing extensive feedback that was clearly listened to. From our perspective, this crane is a true success," said de Leeuw.

Award-Winning All-Terrain Crane

In 2025, the Grove GMK5150XLe received major international recognition for its design and technology. It was awarded the "Prix de l'Innovation" by JDL Groupe in France and the "Premio Potencia 2025 — Categoría Elevación, manipulación y transporte de cargas" by Revista Potencia/Interempresas Media in Spain, underlining its outstanding contribution to innovation, efficiency and sustainability in the lifting industry.

The GMK5150XLe was entered into the ESTA Awards of Excellence 2026 in the "Innovation" category, and it was selected as a finalist by the jury, which highlights its leading contribution to advancing lower-emission lifting solutions.

For more information, visit manitowoc.com.