Bobcat’s Electric Construction Equipment Lineup Gets First Public Showcase
Bobcat Company recently showcased its battery powered construction equipment lineup at a series of test drive and live demonstration events near Los Angeles in Granada Hills and in Stockton, California. This tour featured the Bobcat T7X all-electric compact track loader and two electric compact excavators, the E32e and E10e. The company is promoting these new models as viable alternatives to diesel equipment for government and private fleets.
Attending the events were leaders from California’s Air Resources Board, City of Los Angeles, Port of Los Angeles, Stanislaus County and other public organizations, as well as Sunbelt Rentals, Bobcat dealers and construction contractors. Attendees had the opportunity to test drive the machines, participate in live demonstrations and meet with the innovators behind the electric equipment.
“These electric, off-road construction machines are a promising step in our aim to increase access to clean off-road equipment that produces near-zero emissions in California,” said William Robertson, Ph.D., vehicle program specialist with the Mobile Source Control Division at California Air Resources Board. “The commercialization of cleaner off-road technologies shown at these events are exciting examples supporting the state’s transition to a clean energy economy.”
Bobcat claims to be the first company to commercialize a dedicated all-electric construction machine within the compact range.
Also, Sunbelt Rentals is the first company to invest in a large fleet of Bobcat T7X loaders, as well as electric compact excavators. According to Bobcat, this equipment is scheduled to be delivered and available for rent by Sunbelt Rental customers in California and at other U.S. locations starting in July.
“We are thrilled to showcase these machines and demonstrate how off-road construction equipment is the next frontier in electric vehicles. They are designed to deliver a smaller carbon footprint and a quieter jobsite experience but can also outperform their diesel machine counterparts” said Joel Honeyman, vice president of global innovation at Bobcat. “These machines offer zero-emissions and clean solutions that meet today’s growing regulations, as well as the high standards of government and construction customers in a variety of applications.”
The Bobcat T7X, an all-electric compact track loader, is the first machine of its kind to eliminate all hydraulic components and emissions, and reduce vibration. Debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January, the T7X received two 2022 CES Innovation Awards in the Categories of Vehicle Intelligence & Transportation and Smart Cities. This was the first time the public was invited to experience the T7X since the launch of the machine at CES.
The traditional hydraulic work group has been replaced with an electrical drive system consisting of electric cylinders and electric drive motors, eliminating the need of almost all fluids. The new all-electric T7X uses less than one gallon of eco-friendly coolant compared to 57 gallons of fluid in its diesel/hydraulic counterpart.
“The T7X compact track loader and our electric excavator lineup are technological feats for Bobcat and the industry,” said Honeyman. “We continually receive positive comments from operators who drive these EV machines. They are excited about the exceptional power, response time and performance that matches or exceeds the diesel machines they are accustomed to operating but with no emissions.”
With a compact footprint, quiet operation and zero emissions, the new E32e and E10e battery-powered compact excavators operate with performance that Bobcat claims equals or exceeds diesel-powered machines. Furthermore, the electrical motors deliver full torque, regardless of rpm, providing smooth hydraulic control and on-demand multifunctioning performance with no noticeable drop in power output.
Powered by lithium-ion batteries and producing zero emissions, the T7X and electric compact excavators support environmentally sensitive worksites. They allow users to operate inside structures where diesel exhaust is restricted. Also, they emit significantly lower noise levels and less vibration, which can improve jobsite communication and safety and facilitate work in noise-sensitive areas.
According to Bobcat, its electric machines will deliver up to four hours of active work per charge, depending on usage and application. Furthermore, the company claims that while applications vary, each charge is able to support common daily work operations.
Source: https://www.equipmentjournal.com/construction-equipment/bobcats-electric-construction-equipment-lineup-gets-first-public-showcase/
