Working to create a market for electric construction equipment
Vilvoorde September 2023 — Komatsu Ltd. (hereafter “Komatsu”) (President and CEO: Hiroyuki Ogawa) plans to introduce the PC200LCE-11 and 210LCE-11 models of its 20-tonnes class electric excavators equipped with lithium-ion batteries as rental machines in the Japanese and European markets in October 2023 or later.
Komatsu also plans to gradually introduce these electric models in Asia, North America, and Australia. In its drive to become carbon neutral by 2050, Komatsu regards the market introduction of this new model as an opportunity to develop a market for electric construction equipment, as soon as possible.
Komatsu has been jointly developing these electric models since January 2021 with Proterra, an American manufacturer based in California with a proven track record for high-load handling and commercial vehicles in various fields around the world.
Proterra provides the new machines with its lithium-ion batteries. After conducting the PoC (Proof of Concept) tests at customer jobsites, Komatsu exhibited one of the models at bauma 2022 last October and at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in March of this year.
Komatsu is now ready to introduce them to the rental market. By using them under various operating conditions and with different power supply environments in regions where the electrified market is expected to be formed in the future, customers will be able to experience their environmental friendliness and safety, while Komatsu will compile feedback, opinions, and knowledge to lead to the formation of the electrified market.
Komatsu has marked FY2023 as the first year for the market introduction of electric construction equipment, and the launch of these PC200LCE and 210LCE11 models follows the recent introduction of the Komatsu 3-tonnes class electric mini excavator.
Hydraulic excavators are the most versatile type of construction equipment, and the 20-tonnes and other medium-sized class excavators in particular are used for a wide range of jobsites and applications, centering on excavating and loading earth and sand. By launching these models, Komatsu is working to create an electrified machine market for medium-sized class construction equipment.
DANTOTSU Value is defined as customer value creation that generates a positive cycle of improvement of earnings and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) resolutions in Komatsu's mid-term management plan, entitled "DANTOTSU Value - Together, to "The Next" for sustainable growth". Through this DANTOTSU Value, Komatsu will strive to create new values by taking steady steps forward towards the workplace of the future, to pass on a sustainable future to the next generation.
Main features of the products
- Environmental and Economic Performance
・Achieving zero exhaust emissions with battery-powered and human- and work-environment-friendly features
The battery-powered system produces no exhaust gases, creating a cleaner work environment. As they will also be friendly to workers and trees in the vicinity of the vehicles, they will be widely used on all kinds of jobsites, including for indoor construction, piping work, and construction in urban areas. - Comfort and Peace of Mind
・Securing long hours of work with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries
The Proterra Powered lithium-ion battery system stores 451 kWh of onboard energy, which enables up to about 8 hours(*1) of operating time on a full charge. It takes about 9 hours (*2) to fully charge the battery with the included charger.・Dynamically reducing machine and worksite noise thanks to silent electric motor
Because the power source is an electric motor, the machines do not generate engine noise. The operator can easily communicate with surrounding workers during the operation, achieving safe and precision-based work.・Reducing operator fatigue by eliminating machine vibration caused by the engine
As the machines are not equipped with an engine, the level of vibrations transmitted to the operator has been greatly reduced. The operator can work more comfortably with less stress and fatigue.・Achieving a comfortable work environment by reducing the amount of heat generated by the machines
Because there is no heat source from the engine, the area around the machine stays cooler, making work more comfortable. - Safety, Reliability, and Serviceability
・Equipped with safe and reliable battery components
By using its proprietary matching technology, Komatsu has optimized the overall vehicle control system by coordinating Protera’s lithium-ion battery with machine components, such as hydraulic pumps, controllers, and electric motors for work equipment operation.
Komatsu has also developed a robust battery-protection structure and provided these new electric machines with an excavation performance and durability equivalent to those of engine-driven hydraulic excavators.
*1: Hours of work vary depending on jobsite and machine-operating conditions
*2: Charging hours depend on the power supply environment.
Major specs
About Komatsu
Komatsu is an industry-leading manufacturer and supplier of equipment, technologies and services for the construction, forklift, mining, industrial and forestry markets. For over a century, Komatsu equipment and services have been used by companies worldwide to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, maintain forests and create technology and consumer products. The company’s global service and distributor networks support customer operations, tapping into the power of data and technology to enhance safety and productivity while optimizing performance.
