JCB 19C-1E electric mini excavator 2020 Review

With climate change and environmental sustainability on everyone's lips, more corporations around the world are proactively taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint.

In the heavy industry and transportation sectors in particular, where engine emissions are an issue, the pressure is on for businesses to adopt more sustainable practices and work towards a carbon-neutral future. One way that businesses are achieving this is by electrifying machines, with emissions-free electric cars and buses already zooming around on public roads.

Electrification is hardly a new concept in the construction industry. For years, manufacturers around the world have tried to outdo each other in the electric game but there hasn't been a successful, volume-production electric excavator available until now.

JCB pipped the others to the post when it announced its 1.9-tonne 19C-1E electric mini excavator in late 2019. The company claims it is the industry's first wireless electric excavator that emits zero emissions at point of use, while also being at least five times quieter than its diesel counterparts.

It is the first in the company's E-TECH range of electric machines and is based on JCB's existing 19C-1 diesel mini excavator. It inherits almost all other features from its diesel counterpart except the engine.

The 19C-1 E-TECH, to give its full name, is equipped with the same adjustable undercarriage and choice of digging equipment as the diesel model. It provides a maximum digging depth of 2576mm with the longer 1100mm dipper arm.

Distributed in Australia by CEA, the JCB 19C-1E has reportedly received a huge amount of interest right across the country. We were lucky enough to witness one in action and even hop in for a test drive.

The most significant difference between the 19C-1E and a conventional diesel excavator is the lack of a noisy, emissions-heavy engine. In its place is a three-pack manganese-laminated 48-volt lithium-ion battery (four-pack optional), an electric motor and an AC drive system.

The absence of a diesel engine effectively means lower maintenance, as operators need not worry about fuel, engine oil and other treatments associated with a conventional engine.

The standard charging option for the 19C-1E is via a 240-volt, 15-amp plug that charges the machine in eight hours. An offboard charging option offering a lighting fast charge time of about two hours is also available.

"Off an eight-hour standard charge time, you get four hours of continuous use with the ability to opportunity charge throughout the day for that extra runtime," said JCB CEA Territory Manager, Ryan Carroll.

"The machine itself has a roughly 10,000-hour life-cycle on the batteries with a reduction of 15 per cent after that."

JCB said its 19C-1E mini excavator emits zero emissions at point of use, which means no suffocating fumes commonly associated with a diesel machine.

Of course this benefits not only the workers in and around the machine but also the environment, which has been adversely affected over decades of spiking carbon emissions.

Another significant benefit of the 19C-1 E-TECH is noise – or the lack thereof. Besides a slight hum in work mode, the 19C-1E makes no noise whatsoever. According to JCB, the noise level in-cab is at a mere 68dB, which is 10dB less than the diesel version.

There is no mistaking when a diesel machine erupts into life, but the electric unit was so quiet upon start-up that I barely noticed it was in operation.

One way to tell is via a blue indicator light to the right of the operator seat, which lights up when the machine is switched on.

One big benefit here is that workers need not yell at each other from outside or within the cab when conversing with one other – there's no longer any need to shut the excavator down in order to hear your colleagues.

The lack of noise and emissions also means the 19C-1E is perfect for work on urban worksites and indoors where noise and air pollution pose a significant problem. It can even be put to work after hours if required to fast-track a project, when conventional machines would be sidelined by noise restrictions.

The 19C-1E shares the same structure, canopy, dig end, hydraulics and controls as the diesel unit and performs in exactly the same way.

ISO controls in the cab mean operators don't even need to be familiar with JCB machines to hop in and start driving. The only difference in the cab is a battery gauge replacing a fuel gauge on the right-hand indicator panel, showing available charge instead of available fuel.

After having a go in the machine myself, I'm pleasantly surprised to find out just how smoothly it moves and how well it digs. The feel and performance is no different from a conventional machine, in fact JCB argues the 19C-1E performs better than its diesel sibling.

"The feedback we're getting from demonstrations we're running is a better in-ground feeling," Carroll said.

"That reverts back to the hydraulics that are run by an AC drive, which gives you more torque and a better dig."

The 19C-1E has been built to handle the toughest of conditions, and features 100 per cent steel bodywork for maximum protection.

It also comes with a full-width rear cast counterweight to offer protection against any possible site damage.

The extendable undercarriage beams have been constructed from 25mm solid steel plates for excellent rigidity.

The canopy is ROPS, TOPS and FOGS certified and capable of protecting operators from hazards on the job site.

The 19C-1 E-TECH has a new box-section main boom and dipper arm, with all hoses routed through the boom structure for added protection. The boom pins and dozer pivot points come with sealed and graphite-infused bushings with 500-hour greasing intervals for reduced and easy maintenance.

Safety is also front and centre on the 19C-1 E-TECH excavator, as its 'habitat' is most likely tight workspaces amid nearby workers and other equipment.

JCB's unique 2GO system disengages all controls until the 2GO button on the control panel is activated.

When the control pod on the left of the operator is raised, all controls are isolated and disengaged, which will prevent any accidental movement of the machine, boom or dipper.

The lack of a tether or "umbilical cord", as JCB puts it, to power the machine eliminates tripping hazards.

While the excavator is very quiet when in operation, it still features the full audio-visual warning system such as reversing alarms and a rotating beacon to alert people in the vicinity to the fact that the machine is in use.

A cliché as it may sound, I think JCB's 19C-1E excavator is a serious game changer in the industry; it certainly blazes the trail for other manufacturers to follow.

In fact, a number of other prominent companies in the industry have stepped up to the plate with their own electric range. Wacker Neuson has released an electric wheel loader that is already on the market; Volvo Construction Equipment is launching its electric loader and excavator in 2020; and Case Construction announced its fully electric backhoe earlier this year.

Yes, an electric machine is more expensive to buy than a conventional one, but JCB says the lower cost of ownership, reduced downtime and lower maintenance over time more than make up for the higher purchase price.

The JCB 19C-1E costs around $80,000 depending on the specifications. It is now in stock in JCB dealerships nationwide and is available for demonstrations upon request.

Judging by this first look, I have a feeling worksites around the world will start to look and sound a whole lot different in years to come…

Battery Type: Manganese laminated Lithium-ion

Gross Capacity: 14.8kWh (3 pack)

System Voltage: 48V

Indicative Run Time: 4 hours (3 pack), 5 hours (4 pack), based upon typical duty cycle

Charging options: 110V, 230V or 415V

Operating weight (kg): 1862-1902

Width over tracks– retracted (mm): 980

Width over tracks - extended (mm): 1330

Max Dig Depth (m): 2.6

Max Dump Height (m): 2.6m

Pricing: From $80,000