Equipment Rental Market: Mega-Project and Infrastructure Activity, Shift from Ownership to Rental, and Consolidation and Digital Rental Platforms to Drive Strong Market Expansion Through 2035

The global Equipment Rental Market was valued at USD 215.8 billion in 2025 and is forecast to expand at a strong CAGR of 6.6%, reaching approximately USD 383.6 billion by 2035. This trajectory is underpinned by mega-project and infrastructure activity, shift from ownership to rental, and consolidation and digital rental platforms. The category comprises rental of earthmoving, material handling and lifting, concrete and road construction, and other equipment across propulsion types, sizes, rental types and durations, applications, end users, service models, providers, and booking channels.

The market’s strong 6.6% CAGR reflects the structural shift of contractors and industrial users from owning to renting equipment, supported by large, multi-year projects that need flexible fleets. Earthmoving and aerial equipment continue to anchor rental revenue, while specialty rental, full-service models, electric rental fleets, and online booking platforms represent distinct and faster-growing demand channels. Coverage extending across equipment types, rental types, applications, and providers underscores the breadth of fleet, branch, and service infrastructure now supporting this category.

Executive Snapshot

How does mega-project activity drive equipment rental growth?
Data centers, manufacturing plants, energy projects, and transport infrastructure need large fleets for long periods, driving record rental revenue at major providers.

What role does the shift from ownership play?
Contractors increasingly rent to avoid capital outlay, maintenance, and utilization risk, steadily raising rental penetration.

How does consolidation sustain growth?
Large rental companies continue to acquire regional and specialty players to gain scale, branch density, and specialty offerings.

What is driving specialty and full-service rental?
Customers want equipment plus operators, power, climate control, trench safety, and maintenance, raising value per rental.

How do digital platforms sustain the market?
Online booking, telematics, and fleet portals make renting faster and more transparent.

Which segments are growing fastest?
The fastest-growing segments include infrastructure and industrial applications, long-term project rental, full-service models, electric equipment, and online platforms.

Market Dynamics: Equipment Rental Market

  • Earthmoving equipment sustaining the leading share of revenue: Excavators, loaders, and compaction equipment continue to lead rentals.
  • Non-residential projects sustaining the core demand base: Large projects continue to drive growth.
  • Specialty rental sustaining growth above general rental: Specialty lines continue to grow faster.
  • Residential construction sustaining a local demand base: Local contractors continue to rely on rental.
  • Digital tools sustaining engagement: Online platforms continue to simplify renting.
  • Independent rental companies sustaining primary supply: Large independents remain the main providers.

Market Segmentation: Equipment Rental Market

By Equipment Type
  • Earthmoving Equipment
    • Excavators
    • Backhoe Loaders
    • Wheel Loaders
    • Bulldozers
    • Motor Graders
    • Skid-Steer Loaders
    • Compact Track Loaders
    • Compactors
  • Material Handling Equipment
    • Forklifts
    • Telehandlers
    • Cranes
    • Aerial Work Platforms
    • Hoists & Lifting Equipment
    • Other Material Handling Equipment
  • Concrete & Road Construction Equipment
    • Concrete Pumps
    • Transit Mixers
    • Batching Plants
    • Asphalt Pavers
    • Cold Milling Machines
    • Road Rollers
    • Crushers & Screening Equipment
    • Other Concrete & Road Equipment
By Propulsion Type
  • Diesel / ICE
  • Gas / CNG / LNG
  • Electric
  • Hybrid
  • Other Alternative Powertrains
By Rental Duration
  • Daily / Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Multi-Month
  • Annual / Long-Term
By Application
  • Residential Construction
  • Commercial Construction
  • Industrial Construction
  • Infrastructure & Civil Construction
  • Mining & Quarrying
  • Oil & Gas
  • Energy & Utilities
  • Agriculture & Land Development
  • Municipal & Public Works
  • Other Applications
By Sales Channel
  • Direct Rental
  • OEM / Dealer Rental
  • Online Rental Platforms
  • Third-Party Rental Platforms
  • Other Channels
By Rental Service Model
  • Equipment-Only Rental
  • Equipment + Operator
  • Equipment + Maintenance
  • Full-Service Rental
  • Equipment-as-a-Service
By Geography
  • North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico
  • Europe:  Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Benelux, Nordics, and Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific: China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, South East Asia, and Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Peru, and Rest of Latin America
  • Middle East: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, and Rest of Middle East
  • Africa: Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Rest of Africa

Key Growth Drivers: Equipment Rental Market

  1. Project pipelines supporting demand: Mega projects continue to require flexible fleets.
  2. Capital discipline encouraging rental: Contractors continue to shift spending to rental.
  3. Consolidation increasing scale: Acquisitions continue to strengthen leaders.
  4. Specialty demand broadening revenue: Specialty lines continue to expand.
  5. Fleet electrification: Rental firms continue to add electric equipment.
  6. Digital access: Online tools continue to support growth.

Regional Outlook: Equipment Rental Market

  • North America: The United States accounts for the largest share of regional demand, supported by mega-project activity and high rental penetration; regional operators and suppliers continue to invest in rental fleet capacity to accommodate this demand.
  • Europe: The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Nordic countries anchor regional demand, supported by mature rental markets; this demand base is expected to remain broadly stable through the forecast period.
  • Asia-Pacific: Japan, China, India, and Australia represent some of the fastest-growing regional markets as rental penetration rises; regional companies continue to invest in the capacity required to support this expansion.
  • Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, and Chile represent an emerging regional demand base driven by infrastructure and mining; this segment is expected to follow a steady, if more gradual, growth trajectory through 2035.

Competitive Landscape: Equipment Rental Market

Key Players
United Rentals, Inc., Herc Holdings Inc., Ashtead Group plc (Sunbelt Rentals), Loxam Group, Kiloutou Group, Boels Rental, Aktio Corporation, Nishio Rent All Co., Ltd., Kanamoto Co., Ltd., Ramirent (Loxam), Cramo (Boels), Speedy Hire plc, HSS Hire Group plc, Sunstate Equipment Co., EquipmentShare, BigRentz, Inc., The Cat Rental Store (Caterpillar), Zeppelin Rental, Mateco GmbH, Riwal

  • United Rentals, Inc. [July 2026] — reported record second-quarter 2026 results, with total revenue of USD 4.41 billion and rental revenue of USD 3.85 billion, and raised its full-year 2026 guidance citing large-project tailwinds.
  • Herc Holdings Inc. [July 2026] — reported second-quarter 2026 equipment rental revenue of USD 1,072 million, up 23%, and raised its full-year guidance and fleet capital expenditure plans, citing mega-project activity.
  • Herc Holdings Inc. [April 2026] — completed the integration of its H&E acquisition, adding specialty locations, sales capacity, and branch density, and highlighted its ProControl digital platform that combines e-commerce with telematics-based fleet management.

Consultant POV

The Equipment Rental Market’s strong 6.6% CAGR, projected to take the market from USD 215.8 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 383.6 billion by 2035, is anchored in mega-project and infrastructure activity, shift from ownership to rental, and consolidation and digital rental platforms. Sustained product, commercial, and investment activity from companies including United Rentals, Inc., Herc Holdings Inc., and Ashtead Group plc (Sunbelt Rentals) confirms the Equipment Rental Market will sustain strong growth through 2035.

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