THE EV EVOLUTION IN CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT: CHANGING WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE ON THE JOB

The construction industry is full of changemakers. We shape the land to make it fit our needs, we build the infrastructure that transforms societies and we innovate to meet new challenges. Today, the construction industry is in the midst of a new kind of change — a wave of electrification in construction equipment with the potential to change the way we work on the jobsite.
 
Adoption of this new technology is moving faster in some places than others, as urban contractors, municipal crews, utility teams and others weigh the benefits of investing in EVs. Some are embracing the new technology and discovering the unique benefits of electrification, some are waiting for the technology to mature while others are skeptical EVs will benefit their business at all.
  
Not all projects are suited for an EV. And not all EV machines are created equal to meet the demands of the job. But, projects with special requirements better suited for EVs are on the rise and a wave of practical innovation is underway, resulting in smarter, more efficient machines.

Over the past several years, I’ve been helping to lead that innovative work at CASE Construction Equipment. We released our first electric production units last year — an electric mini excavator and an electric small articulated loader. We have two additional small machines on the way: a larger electric mini excavator and an electric compact wheel loader. And now, after years of design and development to bring electrification to a workhorse machine, we’re bringing the industry’s first electric backhoe to full scale production.

Electrification Opens Doors to More Opportunities

For CASE, EVs are all about unlocking more opportunities for our customers, giving them new tools in their toolbox to meet unique challenges. The fact is, there are more opportunities than most people realize. Think about it: a powerful electric machine that produces zero emissions, minimal noise and requires no diesel fuel — it changes the game for where, when and how crews get work done.
More and more, we’re seeing projects with unique jobsite requirements. Whether it’s urban centers with rules for noise or emissions, confined or congested jobsites, nighttime projects or work that requires indoor operation — EVs provide a clear advantage for these kinds of jobs. EVs also open doors to winning contracts on projects that prioritize green credentials, which are becoming increasingly common.

These trends will only continue. 83% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas today, according to research from the University of Michigan, and that figure is expected to increase to nearly 90% before 2050, which will result in more confined and congested jobsites. Cities, states and the federal government are introducing more rules and incentives to encourage construction crews to minimize disruptions and environmental impact. Some states like California are even offering heavy-duty voucher funds to incentivize the purchase of clean off-road equipment. And green construction projects are on the rise, with LEED-certified projects growing at an average rate of 20 percent every year between 2017 and 2022.

Beyond these application and business opportunities, EVs come with a range of benefits that can help crews boost their efficiency and profitability. EVs can deliver performance and power equal to their diesel counterparts, but require less maintenance, zero diesel costs and lower total cost of ownership.

Does that mean every contractor should sell their diesel machines and switch to using EVs? Not exactly. There are still some jobs today that are better suited for diesel. But EVs can complement internal combustion engine machines for crews who want to diversify their fleets, offering a solution for projects where EVs may be the best tool for the job. 

Remember that electrification in the construction industry is still in its infancy, and the technology is rapidly evolving. Consider how far EVs in the automotive industry have come in the past decade, as the median driving range has more than doubled in just 10 years. EV construction equipment could see a similar pace of change, which is why CASE continues to invest in electrification R&D.
 
Building Better EVs

The key to making electrified construction equipment successful on the job is making sure they’re purpose-built for electrification, so they can deliver emissions-free performance in a way that makes sense in the field.  Instead of simply retrofitting existing diesel machines, it’s critical to look at every aspect of the machine to see how systems can be optimized for electrification. By purpose-building new machines to be an EV from day one, we can create more energy-efficient machines to boost performance in both the battery and the machine.
 
We considered this as we designed and developed our new electric backhoe loader, the 580EV. After debuting our first electric backhoe concept, named Project Zeus, at Con Expo in 2020, we gathered a tremendous amount of customer feedback that influenced our final design. We upped the performance so it was comparable to our popular and more powerful 580SN diesel model, and we looked at everything that might impact energy efficiency. 

That led to a slew of practical innovations that improved battery life, machine performance and the operator experience. We took a new approach to thermal management in the battery so it runs at optimal temperatures in various climate conditions. We implemented two independent electric motors for the drivetrain and the hydraulic pumps to reduce energy consumption and improve performance. And we integrated energy-efficient air conditioning and heating so operators can work comfortably.
 
The result is a versatile, powerful machine that can deliver up to eight hours of operational run time on a single charge, delivering the same breakout forces and dimensional digging specifications as its diesel counterpart, while also serving up all the benefits of electrification. In our view, this sets a new, major benchmark in electrification and sustainable construction, but there are sure to be many new benchmarks to come.
 
It's an exciting time for the industry, as advancements in electrification transform what we can achieve on the job. EVs provide new ways for construction contractors, utility teams and municipal crews to further improve their productivity, efficiency and profitability on projects that require innovative solutions. 

Most exciting of all, the EV evolution has just begun. And, as the technology continues to evolve, we’re sure that crews all over will find new ways to use EV machinery to grow their business.