First electric 1-ton mini excavator in production

The internal combustion engine has had its day, everyone agrees. Yet no manufacturer in the world is yet building production emission-free (mini) excavators. That will soon change. Bobcat presented at BAUMA 2019 the E10e, the first electric 1-ton mini-excavator, which will be available from September. Inter-Techno, Bobcat's largest supplier in the Netherlands, already has some operational models in the meantime.

As one of the pioneers of electric drive, Bobcat is contributing to the growing demand for electric construction equipment with the E10e. "The whole world talks about emission-free equipment, but then it often stops there," says Bertus Boer of Inter-Techno. "Bobcat is now putting those words into action." And how! At BAUMA 2016, the E10e prototype already garnered great interest, from the second quarter of this year the all-electric zero tail swing (ZTS) mini-excavator in the one-ton class will also be available to everyone. The new E10e has zero emissions, is very quiet and, with a width of only 72 centimeters, is perfectly maneuverable. 

Full working day
According to Bertus, Inter-Techno is approached with regularity for electrically powered machines. "Particularly for inner-city work, renovation work in buildings and the execution of work in low-noise areas, electric machines are ideal. As an 'interim' solution, we have therefore built a number of hybrid machines in-house to perform local work emission-free. The Bobcat E10e is therefore a welcome newcomer that can be used for a full eight-hour working day. On one battery charge, the machine can run completely autonomously for four hours. By connecting the E10e to an optional external Bobcat supercharger, the lithium-ion battery pack can be recharged during the operator's break."

Low noise level
The E10e was developed in cooperation with electric vehicle suppliers at the Bobcat Innovation Center in Dobris, Czech Republic. It is based on the design of the E10z 1-ton mini-excavator, of which more than 10,000 have been sold in just a decade. The well-known E10 will henceforth go by the name E10z to indicate that it is a ZTS mini-excavator. The electric E10e has the same ZTS profile and exterior dimensions as the standard E10z and offers the same or even better performance. For example, the E10e has a very low noise level with an LpA of only 64 dBA versus 80 dBA for the standard E10. In addition, all systems and components of the E10e are optimized for use under harsh conditions. 

Bobcat is ready for the next industrial revolution.

Joystick control
Like the E10/E10z, the E10e is easy to transport. In addition to easy access to the jobsite thanks to the retractable undercarriage, which reduces the width to only 720 mm, the integrated folding TOPS (Tip Over Protective Structure) facilitates passage through openings with low headroom, for work in buildings and basements. Once the excavator is positioned and ready for work, the E10e's undercarriage can be extended up to 1,100 mm for maximum stability under all working conditions. Another feature that sets the E10e apart from other machines on the market are the patented, side-adjustable consoles that accommodate hydraulic joysticks with steering pressure control. "Bobcat has fitted the digital world well into the business," Bertus believes. "Today's generation is used to joysticks and driving off with them in no time."

Side view of the Bobcat E10e.

The E10e electric mini-excavator combines the successful features and high performance of the E10z for working in tight spaces with its safe, near-silent, emission-free design. Bertus believes the E10e is a very welcome addition to the current product range. "We are on the eve of the next industrial revolution, waving goodbye to the internal combustion engine with smaller power ratings for good. Bobcat is already ready for it."