by Kyle Molyneux | Fri 29 Sep 2023
20-tonne electric Komatsu excavators
Komatsu plans to introduce new 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 Conexp-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-tonne 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, centring 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
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.
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.
Key specs for the new, 24-tonne Komatsu PC200LCE-11 include a 0.8m3 bucket capacity, 3,020mm tail swing radius, a 123kW motor output plus 451kWh battery capacity.
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