Heavy Equipment

JCB Launches Its First-Ever Electric Dumper, Telehandler

Machines are marketed as clean air alternatives to diesel versions.

Updated on

December 4, 2020

The JCB electric telehandler. PHOTO | COURTESY

JCB has unveiled its first-ever electric versions of site dumper and telehandler – expanding its portfolio from the one-tonne excavator launched in 2018 and its small tracked dumpster in the E-Tech category.

The machines are marketed as clean air and low noise alternatives to the diesel-powered apparatus. They are said to deliver optimum uptime and availability due to their reduced maintenance requirements.

JCB is launching a new universal stand-alone charger unit that can recharge the 19C-1E electric mini excavator from zero charge to full in just 2.5 hours. The gadget can be used to top up machines during lunch breaks or when they are not in use.

The company’s six metre/2.5-tonne compact telehandler is capable of recharging the battery in 8 hours using a standard 240V, 16A electrical supply. It can be topped up using the fast charger in 35 minutes.

The JCB electric dumper. PHOTO | COURTESY

According to JCB Chief Innovation Officer Tim Burnhope, the company has taken a ground-breaking lead in the change to electric propulsion in construction machinery with its 19C-1E mini excavator.

“As the world market leader for telescopic handlers, the launch of the JCB 525-60E Loadall takes equipment electrification further, offering a zero emissions load handling solution with no compromise in performance or productivity,” he said.

“We have seen demand continue to grow as many of our customers have already taken fleets of lithium-ion powered forklift trucks,” Mr McNally said.

Jason McNally, Managing Director at Bennie Equipment – which bought one of the electric telehandlers within minutes of the launch, said many companies view lithium-ion powered equipment as the future.

“I think the uptake for lithium-ion started very slowly due to the cost vs alternative power options on the market, but the industry now seems to be looking at things differently and realising the lifetime costs of equipment rather than just headline pricing”.

Bennie said its new JCB 525-60E will be available to hire throughout the U.K. from the end of January 2021 to “help our customers operate and deliver projects in a much greener way”.