Cummins will feature an electric prototype mini excavator at its Bauma stand on April 8-14, showing visitors it is “transforming our industries, and innovating the latest alternative power solutions”, Executive Director of Electrified Power, Julie Furber says.

Powered by Cummins BM4.4E flexible battery modules (4.4 kWh each), the 3.5-ton (3.2-t) Hyundai excavator prototype to go on show at the company’s stand (A4-325) is designed to support a full work shift and charge in under three hours, according to Cumms.

Cummins and Hyundai are not the only companies developing battery-electric excavators for the construction space. Volvo recently announced it would launch a range of electric compact excavators (EC15 to EC27) by mid-2020, with the first machines to be unveiled at the event in Munich. Caterpillar dealer, Pon Equipment, has also recently delivered a 26-t battery-electric excavator to a Norway-based construction site.

Furber said: “We look forward to continuing to partner with companies like Hyundai to design and test the construction industry’s latest technologies.”

The machine eliminates all gaseous emissions and substantially reduces noise, making it ideal for use in urban and sub-urban construction, according to the company.

The excavator contains eight BM4.4E modules connected in a series configuration to provide a total energy of 35 kWh. Mounted near the base of the excavator, the Cummins-designed and built battery modules use lithium-ion technology to achieve a higher energy density and proprietary control technology to maintain the battery state-of-charge for a longer zero emission range, Cummins said, adding that the modular design allows for scalability to other applications and duty cycles.