The fully electric JCB 19C-1E (Image: JCB)
JCB has started full production of what it claims is the construction industry’s first fully electric mini excavator.
The Staffordshire-based plant giant has already delivered the first 50 of its 19C-1E models, which JCB has claimed can work for a full day’s shift on a single charge and offers the same performance as a conventional 1.9t mini excavator.
The machine is five times quieter than its diesel counterpart and can be fully charged in under two hours. It is expected to be used inside buildings and in emissions- and noise-sensitive inner-city areas.
The new machine has a maximum dig depth of 2.819m, an operating weight of 1862kg, and a maximum dump height of 2.818m. It has a three-battery pack which left on but not working will last 120 hours and can be charged at either 110V, 230V or 415V.
JCB has also pointed to research which indicates that over the first five years of the life of the machine, charging costs will be 50% cheaper than running an equivalent machine on red diesel would be. Servicing costs are also expected to be 70% lower than diesel machines.
JCB’s chief innovation officer, Tim Burnhope, said: “In urban environments in particular, contractors are understandably very keen to operate zero emissions equipment whenever possible, including outdoors. I’m delighted that the model is now in full production after successful feedback from customers in many key markets during the evaluation stage.”
