Heavy Equipment
Hyundai, Cummins JV to Build Electric Mini Excavator
This is a major step towards the future of electrified construction machinery.
Hyundai CE has teamed up with Cummins to create an electric-powered mini excavator as part of its big push to deliver eco-friendly solutions for the equipment market.
The mini excavator has eight Cummins BM4.4E Li-ion battery modules connected in series and installed in the base of the vehicle.
According to the company, the total battery capacity of 35.2 kWh enables the digger to operate for a full eight-hour shift and charge in less than three hours.
“As electric vehicles continue to expand their share in the automotive market, we are simultaneously seeing the electrification of commercial power systems being pursued by many as both an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable solution for construction equipment,” D.S. Kim, Hyundai’s senior executive vice president said.
Last month, Hyundai CE trundled the prototype all-electric mini excavator into a quarry to start a 10-week Electric Site trial with haulers, a crusher and a wheel loader. The tests will help optimize performance, prove structural integrity and enhance the marketability.
“Hyundai CE anticipates mini excavators, which operate in urban workplaces close to residential areas, will be a prime candidate to electrify to meet zero-emission and low noise requirements shortly,” Kim said.
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Cummins executive director for Electrified Power Julie Furber said the creation of the machine is a major step towards the future of electrified construction machinery.
“This electric-powered mini excavator is an exciting celebration of the future of electrified construction equipment – combining the strengths of HCE’s versatile excavator with Cummins’ lithium-ion battery solutions and machine integration expertise,” Furber said.
“We look forward to continuing to partner with companies like Hyundai CE to design and test the industry’s latest technologies.”
Although it is not practically possible to silence the bucket scraping and lifting dirt, the EX1 electric-mini excavator will not have a diesel engine rumbling away – keeping vehicle noise low while doing away with smoky emissions.
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