Based on a long-term productive partnership, Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE) and Cummins Inc. agreed to collaborate on the design and development of electric-powered mini-excavators for this market. The companies announce they have jointly developed a 3.5-ton prototype powered by Cummins BM4.4E flexible battery modules.
The prototype excavator contains eight BM4.4E modules (4.4 kWh each) connected together in a series string to provide a total energy of 35.2 kWh. Mounted in the base of the excavator, the Cummins-designed and built Battery Modules utilize Li-ion technology to achieve a higher energy density and proprietary control technology to maintain the battery state-of-charge for a longer zero emission range. The modular design allows the system to be built up and aligned to the duty cycle of the excavator.
The excavator is designed to operate for a full eight-hour shift and charge in under three hours. The machine eliminates all gaseous emissions and substantially reduces noise, making it ideal for use in urban and suburban construction.
With cities around the world expanding zero-emissions standards for transit vehicles to also include small and medium construction equipment, customers are seeking electrified products in this space that match or exceed the reliability and performance of their diesel counterparts.
"As electric vehicles continue to expand their share in the automotive market, we are simultaneously seeing the electrification of commercial power systems being pursued by many as both an environmentally friendly and economically sustainable solution for construction equipment," says D. S. Kim, HCE Senior Executive Vice President & CTO. "HCE anticipates mini-excavators, which operate in urban workplaces close to residential areas, will be a prime candidate to electrify to meet zero-emission and low noise requirements in the near future."
The prototype machine will be used for testing to optimize the performance, prove the structural integrity and enhance the marketability.
“This electric-powered mini-excavator is an exciting celebration of the future of electrified construction equipment – combining the strengths of HCE’s versatile excavator with Cummins’ lithium-ion battery solutions and machine integration expertise,” says Julie Furber, Cummins Executive Director – Electrified Power,. “Cummins is committed to pioneering the future of electrified power, and we look forward to continuing to partner with companies like HCE to design and test the industry’s latest technologies.”
