Digging Electric: Scope Out the Latest Battery-Powered Mini Excavators to Hit the Market
The mini excavator market is bustling. These compact machines have become a staple on the jobsite, thanks to their ability to access virtually any space with the mechanical muscle to tackle a variety of projects. To take a mini excavator’s capabilities a step further, manufacturers are upping the ante by harnessing the machine’s strengths — such as its smaller size, power and lower energy consumption — and adding electrification into the mix. Why? Well, by swapping the diesel engine for a battery, mini ex operators can expand their portfolios (think more indoor, noise-sensitive jobs), hit emissions regulations and goals, enjoy less maintenance and more.
“Electric excavators produce zero emissions for cleaner air, and they’re also quieter than diesel-powered models,” says Lee Padgett, product manager at Takeuchi-US. “This leads to better working conditions for operators and less disturbance to nearby homes or businesses, making them ideal for use in sensitive areas near schools or hospitals. They can even be used indoors and in confined spaces where ventilation and emissions control are critical.”
While the elimination of fumes and noise is one of the most obvious advantages, Darren Ashton, product manager of compact equipment at Volvo Construction Equipment, points out, electric machines offer performance benefits to operators as well. Since electric excavators share nearly identical specs to their diesel equivalents, performance is enhanced.
“Electric excavators provide instant torque, so there’s no delay like you might feel on a diesel machine,” he says. “Because of this, some operators say they actually feel more powerful. Another thing operators love is the substantial decrease in vibration. Workers can easily talk to each other while the machine is running because of the lower noise, and they’re less fatigued at the end of the day from vibration.”
As for price, buyers can expect to pay more for an electric mini excavator versus a diesel-powered model, but that shouldn’t deter you. Case Construction Equipment’s Product Manager Diego Butzke encourages potential buyers to look beyond the machine’s acquisition cost and focus on its total ownership cost (TCO).
“Electric mini excavators can provide equal or better performance and lower operating costs — such as savings on fuel and maintenance or the extra cost for exhaust extraction equipment if working indoors, under bridges and in tunnels,” he says. “In fuel and maintenance alone, the savings can be huge.
Electricity is much cheaper than diesel, and no engine to service ever, are great benefits. Furthermore, the low noise or zero emissions aspects of an electric mini excavator may open up job possibilities or meet bid specifications that are unique to battery electric equipment.”
Ashton adds that buyers could benefit from tax incentives or grants, as well as “try before you buy” flexibility some manufacturers are offering with this new tech.
Did I pique your interest in an electric mini excavator? Let’s take a look at some models on the market.
Electric Options
With electric machines being more common in Europe, Volvo and JCB are two manufacturers that have been ahead of the game in electrifying their equipment — with their mini excavators debuting overseas and then coming over to North America. Volvo, for example, first unveiled its ECR25 Electric compact excavator at the 2019 edition of bauma in Munich — with machines becoming available to the European market in mid-2020. The company then proceeded to test the model out with several successful customer pilot projects in North America. Today, the ECR25 Electric is commercially available here in the states.
Volvo’s ECR25 Electric offers comparable performance to its diesel counterpart with a digging depth of 9 ft, 1 in., a max reach of 15 ft, 1 in. and a breakout force of 5,013 lbf. The machine’s exterior noise levels are reduced from 93 dB on the diesel model to 84 dB.
Takeuchi’s Lee Padgett Eyes the Rental Market for Electric Machines
We believe the rental market will be among the first to integrate electric equipment into their fleets. When a rental center considers any machine, electric or not, it’s important to consider that machine’s overall cost of ownership. How much maintenance will this machine require compared to how much income it could potentially generate? Certainly, new electric models like our TB20e compact excavator have very low maintenance requirements. There’s no fuel, no engine oil or filter to replenish, and the costs associated with those items are also eliminated. The TB20e’s battery and electric motor are virtually maintenance free, and it has a smaller carbon footprint, less noise pollution and vibration. As a result, they’re consistently available for rental or in the field working, which positively impacts the bottom lines of both the rental company and its customers. Another consideration in the rental market is a machine’s resale value. Eventually, every piece of equipment gets phased out of a rental center’s fleet, so choosing a machine that should have a high resale value is a sound investment. Electric machines should retain their value well, making them a good fit for rental dealers.
“The ECR25 Electric includes our latest Human Machine Interface [HMI] and software, which allow operators to adjust settings and customize the behavior of the machine to their personal preferences,” adds Ashton. “It also has a reduced tail swing radius, making it a great choice for confined spaces. The design and functionality of this model have proven successful and become the base for additional electric models.”
In addition to the ECR25, Volvo offers two other electric mini excavators — the EC18 and ECR18. These two models are the smallest in the company’s mini excavator lineup and provide operators with the same stability and experience they expect from their diesel equivalents. Additionally, there are benefits of low noise, low vibration and more responsive hydraulics due to the immediate torque. Building off its success in the electric mini excavator market, Volvo recently announced that its 23-ton EC230 Electric excavator is now commercially available in North America.
Over at JCB, the company’s electric portfolio has grown to include several categories of equipment — ranging from mini excavators and dumpers to an assortment of aerial lifts. Back in 2019 JCB announced the availability of the 19C-1E, its first fully electric mini excavator, to customers in the United States and Canada. The 2-ton 19C-1E offers operators the ability to safely perform work indoors, underground and in noise-restricted areas.
At the end of 2022, JCB celebrated the production of its 1,000th 19C-1E electric mini excavator. According to JCB’s press release from the event, the 19C-1E is five times quieter than its diesel counterpart and can be fully charged in under two hours. The company adds that the machine can complete a typical full shift on a single charge and is perfect for working indoors or outdoors, in factories, tunnels or basements or for digging foundations or utility projects.
Bobcat entered the electric mini excavator market with its E10e in 2019. The machine features a hydraulically activated retractable undercarriage with a retracted width of 28 in., allowing operators to access space-restricted sites. Its tracks can be extended to 43.3 in. and operators can enjoy zero tail swing capabilities and increased digging performance. The company added another electric model, the E19e, in 2022.
“Our battery-electric excavators, the E10e and E19e, perform as well as their diesel-powered equivalents,” says Mike Fitzgerald, marketing manager at Bobcat. “Other benefits include reduced noise, no emissions, lower operating costs over the life of the machine, the potential for government incentives and meeting specific geographical area regulations.”
Both the E10e and E19e offer a runtime of four hours of continuous operation on its lithium-ion battery pack. The machines charge with a standard 120V outlet, requiring eight hours to fully charge. While applications vary, each charge can support common daily work operations and the use of work modes for up to four hours of continuous operation time and a full day of operation during intermittent use or a typical contractor workday.
“Bobcat is continuously exploring emerging technologies to innovate for the jobsite of tomorrow,” says Fitzgerald. “Our innovation strategy is focused on machine connectivity, electrification and autonomous operation. We innovate, not for the sake of innovating, but to provide value to our customers and solve challenges for their needs.”
Takeuchi-US first debuted its TB20e electric mini excavator back in February 2022 when the company announced 100 units would be shipped to select United Rentals locations in North America. Luckily, Takeuchi had the model on display at last year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas where attendees (including me!) got a chance to see the zero-emissions machine up close and learn about its reduced noise (it’s seriously so quiet) and vibration levels, as well as its four- to eight-hour runtime.
“Takeuchi’s TB20e is powered by a lithium-ion battery that offers a continuous working range from four to eight hours, depending on application and environment,” says Padgett. “It has an on-board charger with 95V to 265V single-phase power. When operators require additional runtime, they can tether the TB20e to the onboard charger and remain operational. 120V will not keep up with the power draw on the battery, but 240V can extend runtime. A faster, optional off-board charger can charge the TB20e in just two to four hours using 408V to 552V three-phase power. An emergency stop switch located on the seat riser prevents the machine from operating or charging when activated.”
Padgett points out that because the TB20e has no engine, maintaining the excavator is simple with fewer moving parts and no need for fuel filters, engine oil, engine oil filters or coolant. The TB20e also provides quiet operation since its only sounds come from its motor and pumps. The reduced noise, coupled with zero emissions, makes the TB20e particularly useful in sensitive areas near schools, nursing facilities, hospitals, residential areas, as well as certain indoor spaces.
Also at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023, Case Construction Equipment announced its CX15EV. This model is not only the company’s smallest mini excavator, but it’s also the very first machine available from Case’s battery-electric lineup. Weighing in at just 1.5 metric tons, the CX15EV packs a strong punch and offers all the same capabilities as its diesel counterparts — with the perks of zero-emissions operation. The compact size of the CX15EV, paired with electrification, gives operators the ability to expand their portfolios to include indoor projects and work in noise-sensitive areas like neighborhoods, live-in care facilities or hospitals.
“The CX15EV is also compatible with numerous attachments — including various buckets, augers and hydraulic hammers — making it an extremely versatile tool for getting more work done efficiently,” says Butzke. “And, with no diesel engine, operators can reduce downtime and improve productivity with simplified daily checks and maintenance.”
What’s next for Case? Butzke predicts the electric mini excavator market will grow into larger sizes with extra performance — allowing for even more productivity among various applications. He adds that Case has announced the company is coming out with the CX25EV, a 2.5-metric-ton size electric mini excavator that further expands the use of electric diggers.
New Holland Construction’s first commercially available EV machine, the E15X mini excavator, runs on a 29-hp cobalt-free lithium-ion battery that powers a 21.4-hp motor — making it as powerful as the E17C diesel equivalent. The E15X boasts a minimum tail swing overhang of 6 in. with tracks that hydraulically retract to a 31.1-in. overall width to easily fit through doorways and then expand to 41.3 in. New Holland points out that the excavator can operate up to eight hours on a fully charged battery. The E15X uses power management software to monitor the machine’s oil flow and engine speed by detecting joystick movement and setting it to reduce pressure on the hydraulics and battery.
“The E15X offers tons of standard features like one- and two-way auxiliary hydraulics, digital color LCD monitor and Fleetforce Telematics,” says Dan Kakareka, product portfolio manager at New Holland Construction. “Beyond this, our E15X comes with three work modes to balance energy consumption and power needs. P – power for max performance at 2,800 rpm, S – standard for normal work operations at 2,600 rpm and E – economy at 2,400 rpm to optimize energy consumption. Panolin biodegradable oil and lubricants make this machine as equally environmentally friendly as it is jobsite savvy.”
On the Horizon
If you can’t tell by now, last year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG was the place to be for electrification news. Another company, Develon, shared news of its DX20ZE-7 electric-powered mini excavator. Develon says the 2-metric-ton DX20ZE-7 excavator will combine low noise and zero emissions with the features and performance enhancements that are found on its next-generation -7 Series family of mini excavators. An in-house-developed 20.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the new electric mini excavator. All of the electrical system and components on the machine are optimized for work in harsh environments. The model also features retractable tracks, which when paired with its compact size and zero-emissions operation, make the DX20ZE-7 perfect for indoor or noise-sensitive work.
New Holland’s Dan Kakareka Talks Minimal Maintenance for Electric Mini Exs
Maintenance requirements for electric mini excavators are generally lower compared to diesel-powered counterparts due to the simpler drivetrain and fewer moving parts. However, there are still some key maintenance tasks that operators should perform to ensure optimal performance, reliability and safety of the electric machine.
Battery Maintenance:
• Monitor battery health and performance regularly, including checking for signs of degradation, such as reduced capacity
or increased charging times.
• Keep the battery clean and free from debris to prevent overheating and maintain efficient operation.
Electrical System Inspection:
• Inspect electrical components, wiring and connections for signs of wear, damage or corrosion.
• Check safety features such as circuit breakers and overload protection devices to ensure they are functioning correctly.
Additionally, operators should refer to the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines and consult with qualified technicians or service professionals for assistance when needed.
Also at CONEXPO, Wacker Neuson showcased its new EZ17e battery-powered mini excavator. Already a success in the European market, the company plans to launch the EZ17e to the North American market some time in 2024. The 1.7-metric-ton machine has a maximum digging depth of 97.7 in., a breakout force of 4,608 lbs and the ability to run auxiliary attachments such as hydraulic breakers. The EZ17e has a powerful lithium-ion battery that offers all-day runtime and can be recharged using a common 240V, single-phase outlet. Wacker Neuson mentions that the machine’s charge time is between five to six hours, and it can be operated in a stationary position while connected to a power source.
In April of this year, Yanmar Compact Equipment announced the availability of its SV17e electric mini excavator to the European market. Yanmar says the SV17e is powered by a robust 18.3-kWh battery and features two operating modes. The model also offers digging forces of 9.9 and 8.9 kN (2,226 and 2,001 lbf) from its short and long arms, respectively. Currently, there is no launch date planned for North America.
Pam Kleineke is managing editor of Compact Equipment.
