Electric vehicles (EVs), which are now available in almost every application, have become a popular choice for construction. Electric power was once restricted to niche applications such as nonmobile equipment, compact excavators, and large mining trucks. Now, every type of machine is equipped with an electric power source.
Now More electric-powered vehicle options than ever
Cummins and XCMG have released a 3.2 metric tons electric compact excavator. The prototype excavator is powered by Cummins BM5.7E batteries, which can provide 45kWh and work for eight hours. The machine was shown at CONEXPO/CON/AGG and is now in China for performance and customer testing.
This 3.5-ton excavator is the largest of its kind. It shows the increasing ability of batteries for larger equipment.
Case Construction Equipment developed the 580 EV Backhoe. The 580 EV, also known as Project Zeus, is a diesel-powered backhoe with the same power and performance. It has a lower cost of operation and a much higher level of productivity. The machine is powered by a 90-kilowatt lithium-ion pack with 480 volts that can last up to eight hours, depending on the application.
Case’s director of global compact equipment, Eric Zieser, says, “Our goal is to expand electrification into other product lines and to markets that will benefit from these improvements in sustainability and performance.”
Bobcat believes that electric technology is now at a point where it will sustain the construction industry. Three electric loaders are in production. The E17E is a lithium-ion electric loader that has hydraulics powering the boom arm. The S70 is the smallest Bobcat skid steer. It uses an electric motor and drives hydraulics for the boom arm. The T76e is completely electric and does not use any fluids. The machine is completely electric. This is a concept model and will not be marketed.
Electric Power for On and Off-Road Equipment
For a long period, manufacturers have experimented with the electrification. The first category of trucks to be “electrified” due to their short-distance travel were shunt trucks. Manufacturers are now experimenting with work and long-haul trucks.
Zoomlion released the first electric-powered crane truck in the world, called ZTC250N -EV. According to the company, this 25-ton, pure electric truck crane is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 56 mph. It has a full-grade ability of up to 50%, all while reducing its energy costs by 35%.
Liebherr has two types of truck mixers with electrical drum drives in its portfolio. These trucks are often used in densely populated areas. This makes it even more important that they have lower emissions than diesel-powered trucks.
Liebherr claims that these new machines handled thick concrete with ease and showed full performance during winter operations because of their optimized thermal management and battery life.
It is also important that the battery can be charged quickly. The Deutz360 Volt, developed in collaboration with JLG, has developed a lithium-ion battery that can reach 80 percent of its capacity in less than four hours. This battery powers two electric motors of 40 kW each. Both motors can operate the arm. This system is only available on the JLG G5-18A Telescopic Handler.
“Our approach is based on intelligent combination of electric drives with internal combustion engines, which offer the potential of being operated in a CO2-neutral manner,” said Dr. Frank Hiller. Chairman of the Board of Management of Deutz AG.
It is important to consider the charging method. Envision Solar is displayed at CONEXPO/CON/AGG, the EV-ARC 2020 off-grid solar-powered EV Charging Infrastructure that is portable. It does not require digging for a utility service or fuel delivery. Two machines can be charged at the same time using a plug or wirelessly.
The Benefits of Electric Engines
Electric engines are being designed to offer the benefits of both diesel and electric power. They can produce power comparable to diesel engines but without their drawbacks. EVs also offer instantaneous and peak torques at all operating speeds, whereas diesel engines must increase their engine speed to have enough power to lift a heavy load.
The majority of new EVs have diesel engines, and they are available in both electric and diesel versions. However, there will be a period when certain categories of machines may not offer diesel.