Cars, boats, planes, busses, helicopters and the like are getting electrified. It makes sense, assuming we can recycle all of the batteries. Another vehicle is about to join the electric party – the backhoe loader. The construction company, Case, has introduced the first fully electric backhoe loader named Project Zeus (or 580 EV).
The Case 580 EV has a 480-V and 90 kWh lithium battery which will provide enough power for an eight-hour workday. Sure the fuel savings are nice, but just like electric cars, the real savings are in maintenance cost. Case estimates 90-percnet less service/maintenance costs.
“Operators will experience the same digging, lifting and craning performance achieved in a diesel-powered machine in a quieter, emissions-free work area. That’s the ultimate goal of our sustainability efforts — improve the world around us, make equipment more sustainable, and to do so while finding new ways to improve productivity and the experience of the people who use the equipment.”