Komatsu prepares to launch compact and mid-sized electric excavators

Komatsu is planning to debut its 3-tonne electric mini excavator as well as the 20-tonne class PC200LCE-11 and 210LCE-11 electric excavators in Europe and Japan by end of the year.

The new 3-tonne class excavator is a fully remodeled version of the PC30E-5 introduced as a rental model in the Japanese market in 2020. While maintaining the current machine’s features of zero exhaust gas, zero exhaust heat, low noise and low vibration, the new machine is equipped with a lithium-ion battery in place of a lead-acid battery.

The PC200LCE-11 and 210LCE-11 will initially be introduced as rental models in both the European and Japanese markets in October 2023 or later, with Komatsu planning to gradually roll them out to other parts of Asia, North America, and Australia.

Komatsu has been jointly developing the 20-tonners with US-based EV technology company, Proterra, since January 2021.

The excavators are powered by lithium-ion batteries produced by Proterra and were first exhibited at bauma 2022 and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 trade shows following several tests at customer jobsites.

With the excavators being electric, there are no harmful diesel emissions and noise levels are kept to a minimum. This allows the machines to work both outdoors and indoors.

With noise and vibration levels kept very low, operator comfort and productivity are greatly improved.

According to Komatsu, the remodeled 3-tonner offers 20 per cent longer operation time compared to the previous electric model, and the weight and tail swing radius have also been reduced by a fair bit.

The PC200LCE-11 and 210LCE-11, on the other hand, are capable of about eight hours of standard work on a full charge and take about nine hours to fully charge, Komatsu said.

By using its proprietary matching technology, Komatsu has optimised the overall vehicle control system of the 20-tonners by coordinating the lithium-ion battery provided by Proterra with its machine components, such as hydraulic pumps, controllers, and electric motors, to ensure peak performance.

Test results have shown that the new electric excavators are as powerful and durable as their diesel counterparts, Komatsu said.

Komatsu has also developed a robust battery-protection structure to ensure longevity of the machines.

In addition to the new releases, Komatsu has also launched a micro electric excavator jointly developed with Honda, as well as protoype hydrogen excavators and remote-controlled electric excavators.

The company has set itself a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.