FOR an industry that (rightly) prides itself on its eco credentials, it might seem strange that the race to 'go green' is only just now getting into gear - but at least the wheels are turning. 

Ponsse's unveiling of its new hybrid concept vehicle - the EV1, a 15-tonne forwarder - follows a pattern. With pressure on fuel costs and the need to cut down emissions (not to mention diesel entirely), the sector's biggest names are beginning to look to the future, and tentatively sounding the death knells of forestry machinery as we know it. 

That's not to say operators will be asked to leave the diesel at home and sent out into the woods looking for a charging port on Monday. Clearly, that's a long way off.

The fact Ponsse - unlike Malwa - has opted to fit the EV1 with a diesel engine that works around 50 per cent of the time (to charge the generator) is telling.

Albeit the Finns stress the diesel could be replaced by a more eco-friendly solution come the launch of the EV1, which is several years away. But, this shift to hybrid/electric vehicles looks here to stay - and all evidence suggests it's only going to become even more of a pressing issue.

Take this year's ICF Conference, where Roland Stiven, of Scottish Forestry, told of the need to "shift to a whole new energy system" and "the sooner we start that process, the better”. 

Ponsse's move - and that of others, such as Malwa and Stihl - suggests the process is already underway at the highest level of the industry. 

The exciting question is now: which household name will be the next to lift its head above the parapet? 

This piece is an extract from today’s Forestry Latest News newsletter, which is emailed out at 4PM every Friday with a round-up of the week's top stories. 

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