ELECTRIFYING THE EXCAVATOR MARKET

It was back in 2008 that Komatsu’s journey toward electrification in construction machinery began with the introduction of the world's first hybrid construction machine. Since then, Komatsu continues to expand its line-up of hybrid and electric equipment, as visitors to Hillhead 2024 will discover at the end of June.

The smallest excavator in Komatsu’s electric range ready for launch is the 17.4kW, 3.6 tonne PC33E-6, which was shown for the first time at bauma 2022, while at Intermat 2024 in Paris the cab version made its debut. This mini excavator features a high-voltage, 115V architecture and a 400V off board fast charger that can charge the battery from 20% -100% in just over an hour and a half.

The manufacturer hopes the introduction of this new electric model will act as a “springboard” for the development of a European market for small electric construction equipment, and believes it will play a big part in the company’s stated goal of offering a fully carbon neutral line-up by 2050.

Komatsu’s Electrification Project Team leader Bernd Eschenhagen told Awesome Earthmovers magazine that it is ready for mass production and is expected to be available in Europe towards the end of this year. It is said to deliver exceptional performance with class-leading features that will make job sites cleaner, quieter, and safer.

Two larger machines said to be just as powerful and durable as their diesel counterparts have already been launched and are primarily targeted at the rental market.

An electric variant of Komatsu’s popular 13-tonne PC138 compact tail swing machine, known as PC138E-11, uses a 225kWh Lithium-ion battery pack for long hours of operation. That, combined with a compact body size lends itself to a wider range of construction sites.

It was also shown at Intermat 2024, as was the other machine, a 20-tonne PC210E which has 451 kWh of battery capacity, allowing it to operate for up to 8 hours of operating time. It was shown with a Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance kit described as ‘a simple and flexible technological enhancement now available for a broad range of Komatsu machines.’

With less noise, exhaust emissions and zero engine vibration, it is ideal for use in urban areas and indoor environments. The low operating noise levels of the PC210E can also allow for night-time construction work both indoors and out.

As these machines are not equipped with an engine, the area around it does not get hot and vibration transmitted to the operator has been substantially reduced.

“We want to have an understanding of how and where these machines will be used, so taking the rental route will help us determine what is best in the long term…”

The operator feels less stress and fatigue during work. “As a market for electric construction machines has not yet been established, not least because of the high costs involved in comparison to conventional machines, these two excavators are being made available for renting out only through our dealerships,” says Bernd.

By doing so, a variety of customers, with different machine operating conditions and power supply sources, should be able to experience the machines’ environmental friendliness and safety. “We want to have the right machines for our customers, we want to have an understanding of how these machines will be used and on what applications, so taking the rental route will help us determine what is best in the long term.

“Another factor to be taken into account is the Total Cost of Ownership. No one, for example, yet knows what level of residual value electric machines will have, and that said, I believe there is a general consensus of opinion in the industry that other technologies should also be explored, such as hydrogen and HVO, especially for larger machines.

“However, for smaller machines, battery electric is most likely to dominate as it is much less expensive and easier to produce electric mini excavators – and they can be easier to recharge on the construction site as you don’t need so much readily available electricity on hand, so that’s where we may find our market. Larger machines obviously require a bigger electrical power source which is not always available, particularly on bigger or more remote construction sites.”

Komatsu, through their UK distributors Marubeni-Komatsu Limited (MKL) will have a strong showing at Hillhead 2024 towards the end of June when visitors will be able to get up close to the electric PC210E, PC33E-6 and PC138E-11, in addition to two new prototype mini excavators which are presently being tested before being launched in 2025.