In 2021 we debuted a 1250 kW Cat genset that can be fueled by up to 100% hydrogen, including fully renewable green hydrogen, on a designed-to-order basis.

We also offer commercially available power generation solutions from 400 kW to 4.5 MW that can be configured to operate on natural gas blended with up to 25% hydrogen.  

In 2019, we introduced the D6 XE — the world’s first elevated sprocket electric drive dozer. The D6 XE provides substantial fuel savings and efficiency alongside increased productivity. 

Cat Electric Power also began offering solar and microgrid power solutions during this decade.

From 1994 to 1995, we ran the first two prototype 777C autonomous mining trucks (AMTs) at a Texas limestone quarry There, they successfully hauled more than 5,000 production loads over a 2.6-mile course. And they demonstrated that autonomous operations could improve safety. 

Today, autonomy helps improve operational consistency — resulting in zero reported lost-time injuries, greater fuel efficiency and productivity improvement of up to 30% over human-operated fleets.⁶

The Cat Certified Rebuild program launched in 1985, starting with the Cat D8K dozer. The program allowed customers to effectively double the life of their old machine by rebuilding it, instead of scrapping it and buying new.

Today, the Certified Rebuild program is the ultimate machine “upcycle.” Customers get a second machine life with product updates at a fraction of the cost of buying new. And we're able to extend the useful life of materials.

As of 2023, Cat dealers have rebuilt more than 43,000 machines, powertrains and components.

Cat Reman was born. What began as a customer request for a low-cost repair option transformed into one of our most dynamic divisions— Cat Reman.

In 1973, the first Caterpillar remanufacturing plant began production in Bettendorf, Iowa. 

In 2022, Cat Reman collected 89% of end-of-life eligible returns and taken back 140M pounds of material.

We began offering Combined Heat Power (CHP) cogeneration systems.

CHP is energy-efficient technology that generates electric power and captures the heat that would otherwise be wasted. It then provides useful thermal energy, such as steam or hot water that can be used for space heating, cooling, domestic hot water and industrial processes.

In 1955, the D9 became the first Cat machine fitted with a turbocharged diesel engine. Turbocharging technology captures and reuses exhaust gases to increase power while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The Cat D17000 became the first engine to power a 44-ton diesel-electric locomotive. Although less "glamorous" than the sleek passenger streamliners or the mighty freight-hauling behemoths, it was exceptionally durable and substantially lowered fuel and maintenance costs.

In the 1930s, our track-type-tractors (dozers) were converted to run on alternative fuels such as butane and propane. In this same decade, we converted gasoline engines to burn natural gas, and sold diesel engine conversion kits that allowed existing customers to “modernize” their gasoline-powered Sixty tractors.