4QT GmbH

The construction and heavy equipment industry, with over 20 million vehicles globally, is responsible for emitting more than 3.2 gigatons of CO2 annually—surpassing the entire emissions of India. These heavy machines contribute significantly to the global climate crisis, especially in sectors such as construction and defense. Rising fuel costs and stringent regulations are driving the urgent need for sustainable solutions.

4QT is pioneering the transformation of heavy-duty equipment through its development of high-power electric drives. Its patented axial-flux motor and modular battery technologies present a scalable, flexible, and more efficient path to sustainability, enabling both hybrid and fully electric configurations.

Key industry players have already shown significant interest. 4QT has secured over 450 vehicle LOIs annually and has deployed 4 paid demonstrators, including collaborations with major defense contractors and the Swiss Army. The company has raised more than €5 million in funding and is well-positioned to expand into the global construction equipment market, valued at €215 billion annually.

Pilots: 4 paid demonstrators
Maturity: PoC (Proof of Concept)
Capital raised: > €2 million
Company valuation: Undisclosed
Open round: No

4QT’s key innovation, the Double Rotor Machine (DRM), features an axial flux design that enhances power density while eliminating the need for rare-earth magnets, making the motor cheaper to produce and fully recyclable. Regenerative braking further enhances energy efficiency by recharging the battery during deceleration. This technology reduces fuel consumption by 50% and minimizes battery size by 66%, eliminating the need for expansive charging infrastructure.

The 4QT drivetrain technology is not just a hardware solution, it’s a complete ecosystem of electrification for the heavy equipment industry. The innovation combines hardware with advanced software to improve vehicle performance, lower operational costs, and help manufacturers achieve their net-zero targets.

4QT drivetrain offers the following benefits: Holistic sustainability, Cost-efficiency, Compatibility and Scalability.

With 100s of smaller OEMs struggling to electrify, 4QT is well-positioned to capitalize on this market opportunity by offering a unique solution that combines performance with sustainability. Their team, with extensive expertise across construction, defense, and powertrain engineering, has spent years conducting application-oriented research with top-tier Swiss institutions like ETH Zurich and ZHAW School of Engineering. This has resulted in one granted patent and seven more in progress.