Pioneering electric-powered construction machines
CNH is supercharging its efforts to assist the development of a more sustainable construction industry, launching several new machines this year that are greener, quieter and more efficient
Read time: 5 minutes
Back in 2020, CASE Construction Equipment presented the sector’s first fully electric backhoe loader, the 580EV. At the 2023 CONEXPO fair in Las Vegas in March, the brand demonstrated that it continues to lead the industry, with the largest portfolio of electric machines at the event. In total there were five electric models: the award-winning 580EV, two different-sized mini excavators, a compact wheel loader and a small articulated loader.
Electrification was undoubtedly one of the hottest topics at the first full-blown CONEXPO following the COVID-19 pandemic. “There was a ton of buzz and excitement around the booth,” recalls Eric Zieser, Head of Electrification for the Strategy and Product Portfolio team within the Construction segment of CNH.
ALL ELECTRIFIED MACHINES NOT ONLY HAVE THE SAME POWER AS THEIR DIESEL COUNTER-PARTS, BUT ARE ALSO MORE EFFICIENT
Strategic transition
Electrification isn’t possible yet for all construction equipment which is why CNH continues to work on alternative fuels and other new technologies. For over 180 years, the Company has been a pioneer in construction and it is investing in a more sustainable future by leading the electrification of the sector and addressing any potential issues. Firstly, full-scale production machines require so much sustained power that electrification with current battery technology would be too expensive. Then there is also uncertainty in the market over the lack of EV charging infrastructure.
So, deciding which machines to electrify means finding the right balance between run-time, cost and benefits for the customer and operator. By and large, electric power is most suitable for more compact machines below 74 horsepower. But it’s not just a question of what’s possible. There needs to be demand for specific electric-powered products and they need to match the Company’s core business and brand. CASE pioneered backhoe loaders in 1957, so to launch the first fully electric backhoe loader builds on its legacy.
Multiple benefits
Going electric has a lot in its favor. The most obvious, of course, is that eliminating fossil fuels is good for the environment. In many cities and some countries around the world, carbon emissions are being taxed and reductions mandated. But EVs (electric vehicles) also make good business sense for many customers. Annual vehicle, fuel and maintenance costs can be reduced by up to 90 percent compared to diesel-powered equivalents. These machines can also be operated indoors without concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning or the expense of scrubbing technologies to reduce pollutants. Then there’s the dramatic noise reduction, which is a big benefit around hospitals, residential areas and parks, but also on construction sites where clear communication with the crew smooths operations.
Co-workers and the machine operator alike will also appreciate the low vibrations.
All electrified machines not only have the same power as their diesel counterparts, but are also more efficient. Here’s why. An electric motor has fewer moving parts and loses less energy to heat through friction. In addition, a backhoe loader or an excavator typically doesn’t dig non-stop for eight hours. It may dig a trench and then stop for the depth to be measured or a pipe to be laid. While a diesel engine would be idling throughout the job, an electric motor is only using energy while the functions are being operated, and not during these momentary breaks.
Left: CASE’s electric wheel loader. Right: New Holland’s electric mini-excavator can be used indoors.
“An electric motor is three times as efficient as an internal combustion engine,” explains Vito Martina, Head of the Electrical Platform for the Product Development team within the Construction segment of CNH. Electric motors also have a faster response, in part because they provide instantaneous torque while the combustion engine needs to rev up to hit its ‘sweet spot’ for maximum performance.
All electric machines can be fast-charged during a lunch break using an appropriate charger, or overnight from a standard outlet. But going electric is more than just swapping one motor for another. Ensuring quality, safety and maximum performance required the type of global resources and flair for innovation for which CNH is renowned.
To help extend energy efficiency, engineers added the ‘intelligent idling’ feature, which essentially shuts down the electric engine as soon as the operator lets go of the joystick. Combining the hydraulic system, whose pumps consume considerable energy, with modern electronics and telematics added further efficiencies.
In addition, all the control signals travel at the speed of light, so there’s practically no lag between a move of the joystick and the machine reaction. Further precision comes from a feature that allows controls to be adjusted according to operator preferences. That allows for slower and more precise moves when needed, for example.
Electric mini-excavators are already on sale to the market. All five electric models debuted at CONEXPO, including the 580EV backhoe loader, will be available through dealers from mid-2024. “We are making moves with the speed and agility of a start-up — all anchored in 180 years of experience in the earthmoving business,” says Brad Stemper, Director of Product Management — North America, CASE Construction Equipment.
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