Heavy Equipment

JCB Digs Up the Future With 19C-1E Electric Excavator

This is the first electric excavator to be put into production by an original equipment maker.

Updated on

June 20, 2019

JCB 19C-1E excavator — The 19C-1E is five times quieter than its diesel-powered equivalent. PHOTO | COURTESY

Construction equipment giant JCB has begun production of its full electric mini excavator, 19C-1E, pushing forward its ambitious plan to electrify its range of machinery.

The 19C-1E is the first electric excavator to be put into production by an original equipment maker.

The US equipment firm, which previously unveiled a model of the 19C-1E, says that the excavator will deliver the performance of a diesel-powered 1.9-tonne mini excavator with a reduction of both internal and external noise levels.

The excavator – which is five times quieter than an equivalent diesel-powered machine – will be equipped with three or four lithium-ion battery packs providing a 15-20kWh storage capacity.

It will have an on-board charger with 110V input for 12-hour recharging capability, with the option for 230V charging when necessary, with an eight hour recharging time. For the time-constrained digger, a fast charge option allowing a full charge in under two hours will be available.

The lithium-ion batteries have been designed to last the operating life of the machine.

The 19C-1E has three operating modes, controlled by a dial. In the ‘low’ setting the motor runs at 1,200rpm, in ‘general’ it operates at 1,600rpm and in ‘high’ mode the motor spins at 1,800rpm.

In the Auto Kick Up mode for tracking, the motor runs at 2,300rpm for rapid movement of the machine between digging sites.

The excavator is equipped with the same adjustable undercarriage and choice of digging equipment as the diesel model, offering a maximum digging depth of 2,891mm with the longer 1,344mm dipper arm.