Supply of electric diggers grows rapidly

Flexible working on emission-free construction site

The zero-emission construction site is advancing. And so is the range of electric machines. Hitachi Construction Machinery Netherlands now has three battery-electric excavators in its range. And not without success, as they are increasingly being used. 

In recent months, for example, Boskalis hired an 8-ton ZE85 midi-excavator for work on a completely emission-free construction site in Harderwijk. That ZE85 was developed in-house by KTEG, an alliance between the Japanese manufacturer and the German Hitachi dealer. 

Boskalis leased the emission-free excavator through the Hitachi Premium Rental program. Corporate responsibility is a hot topic these days, including (or perhaps especially) in the construction industry. Hitachi aims to make strides in terms of CO₂-reduction. While alternative fuels are a solution to work more economically and cleanly, only all-electric propulsion offers the possibility of carrying out projects with zero emissions. 

And whether in cramped inner cities, indoor spaces or - as in Harderwijk - sustainable new construction, the ZE85 feels in its element everywhere. Without having to make any concessions, the 8.7-ton Hitachi is used daily to install gullies, finish roadsides and prepare everything for paving. Boskalis specifically chose to rent the machine because preparing the site for housing only takes a few months to six months. After that, the project will enter the next phase and the site must be prepared for construction, for which Boskalis is deploying a 25-ton electric crawler excavator. 

Hitachi's electric model range also includes the 5.3-ton ZX55U-6EB, the 15-ton ZX135 and soon to be joined by the 2.3-ton ZE23. Hitachi's ZE85 couples an 8,750-kg dead weight with 40 kW of electrical power. Three batteries provide a total of 100 kWh of battery capacity, which is enough to work continuously for 5.5 hours without having to compromise on power or uptime. Those who find those figures insufficient to get through the working day can opt for an optional fourth battery of another 33 kWh, or hang the machine on a DC fast charger during lunch breaks to recharge the battery pack to 80% in half an hour.

Limited space

The 5-ton ZX55U-6EB with different attachments is great for small spaces. It has the same small turning radius as the diesel-powered ZX55U-6. This makes it excellent for steering when space is limited. Its performance is also equally powerful. In addition to operating without emissions, an electric excavator offers lower noise levels, greater efficiency, exceptional performance in limited maneuvering space and less need for maintenance than conventional models. 

The ZX55U-6EB is the first of its kind produced by Hitachi itself and uses the same concept as the 8-ton ZX85 electric excavator. 

Hitachi Construction Machinery Netherlands is also a dealer of HSC Cranes. Extensive field tests are currently being conducted with an electric SXC800A-3, so Hitachi Construction Machinery will soon be able to offer electric crawler cranes.