Komatsu is teaming up with electric bus maker Proterra to help make their construction equipment electric using the latter’s battery technology.

Komatsu partners with Proterra

The construction giant and the electric bus maker announced the partnership in a joint statement this week:

Proterra, a leading innovator in commercial vehicle electrification technology, and Komatsu, a global leader in construction equipment, today announced an agreement to leverage Proterra’s industry-leading battery technology for the development of Komatsu’s first battery-powered electric mid-class hydraulic excavator. “

This is the first time that Proterra battery technology has entered construction equipment.

Komatsu plans to have a battery-powered prototype of its first electric excavator by the end of the year and aims for production and marketing from 2023 to 2024.

Proterra CEO Jack Allen commented:

“As more communities embrace a zero-emission future, Proterra is excited to partner with Komatsu to develop battery-powered electric construction equipment. Proterra’s best battery technology is proven over 16 million kilometers traveled by our fleet of public transport vehicles. What works in our battery-powered electric transit vehicles on roads across North America can also work off-road. We look forward to working with Komatsu to bring the benefits of Zero Emission and Quiet Proterra Powered vehicles to more communities around the world. “

Proterra, which recently moved to become a public company, brings rare experience in building very large battery packs for electric vehicles.

Their electric buses are equipped with battery packs with an energy capacity of several hundred kWh.

Electrical construction equipment of Komatsu’s size is going to need large battery systems like this.

Electrical construction equipment

It’s not just passenger cars that are electrified. Many other industries are also looking at advancements in electric batteries and powertrains and are starting to see how it could benefit them.

Wouldn’t it be nice to reduce emissions and noise pollution and reduce fuel costs during construction? sites? Electric machines can do this.

Komatsu looking to electrify their equipment is a big deal given the size of the business, but they are not alone in doing it.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) was very early in pushing for the electrification of construction equipment.

In 2018, we reported that the company unveiled several new electric prototypes for a fully electric quarry project.

In 2019, they announced that they would stop the development of compact diesel-powered wheel loaders and compact excavators in order to sell electric versions instead.

Last month Volvo started deliveries of its electric construction machinery.

Now more construction equipment companies could get into electrification.

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Via: electrek.co

News Highlights

• According to the source Komatsu to make construction equipment electric using Proterra battery technology
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