Komatsu 13-tonne electric excavator to debut in 2024

Hot on the heels of its battery-powered micro and mini excavators, Komatsu’s mid-sized 13-tonne PC138E-11 electric excavator is set to make its commercial debut in Japan in January 2024.

Komatsu plans to make the model available in the Japanese rental market first, before releasing it into the European markets after.

Featuring a battery capacity of 225kWh, the PC138E-11 is capable of working long hours and is suitable for a wide range of applications, and is ideal for work in confined spaces, Komatsu said.

As it generates significantly less noise and heat compared to conventional diesel-powered machines, the electric excavator is a much more energy efficient and comfortable unit to operate, the company added.

The quietness of the operation also promotes safety and convenience, as operators are able to converse with each other even while the machine is operating.

By removing the diesel engine, maintenance requirements are reduced as well.

“By equipping a high-capacity lithium-ion battery and integrating a cooling system for the battery and electric components for this new machine, Komatsu has achieved long operation time while reducing the rear-end swing radius,” Komatsu said.

“In regions where electric construction equipment markets are expected to be formed in the future, Komatsu is working to have a variety of customers, with different machine operating conditions and power supply sources, use this machine as a rental machine so that they should be able to experience its environmental friendliness and safety.

“By capitalizing on the launch of this machine, Komatsu is set to develop a broad range of new customer needs and establish the market for electric construction equipment.”