Climate change and the resulting need to reduce CO2 emissions have become a major global challenge. In recent years, many construction equipment manufacturers have presented electrical products to limit CO2 emissions. However, these only provide a very partial answer, as they are currently limited to small machines (e.g.1.5t mini excavators) that mostly only assist larger diesel powered machines. Mecalac believes that the need for medium sized machines on urban construction sites has not yet met.

Current solutions have very limited autonomy (mostly between 1.5h to 4h), meaning that they do not allow a full day of work on site without two battery recharges. Companies and operators are used to combustion powered machines, thus the switch to electric vehicles has not been seamless. Having observed this, Mecalac has carried out a major R&D programme, which now leads to the launch of a complete zero emission eco system for urban worksites. Mecalac’s new range of electric products includes an excavator, a swing loader and a site dumper. With these complementary products, all earthmoving operations (digging, loading, and transporting) can now be carried out with emission free machines on a scale the company says has never before achieved.

Right size for urban worksites

Mecalac believes that the current market offering of mini electric machines is unable to carry out urban construction jobs on their own. Mecalac’s challenge was therefore to be the first manufacturer to develop a full range of medium sized products consisting of the 11t e12 excavator, the 1,000l es1000 swing loader and the 6t ed6 dumper. Mecalac believes that the main reason for the absence of medium sized electric machines on the market is the optimisation power management to ensure sufficient autonomy. To overcome this challenge, Mecalac says it has made a technological breakthrough on the hydraulic distribution system, as well as on the energy management of auxiliary systems (e.g. heating and air conditioning) to drastically reduce energy consumption without compromising autonomy and performance.

Challenging drivers’ habits

In addition, the way of driving that operators have adopted behind the steering wheels of combustion engine machines is not always compatible with optimising battery performance. For example, when the throttle pedal is pressed, all the power of an electric machine is instantaneous, unlike combustion engine machines. Mecalac has therefore configured the human machine interface so that it reacts in an optimal way to preserve autonomy and guarantee coherent behaviour.

Revolutionary approach to onsite charging

Mecalac has also developed the M-Power as a mobile high power supply solution. With its 300kWh storage capacity, it replaces traditional diesel generators by providing a battery charging solution anywhere. Mecalac believes that this electric ecosystem is a game changer that enables a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions on construction sites. For example, three Mecalac zero emission machines working together on the same urban worksite, save an average of 64t of CO2 that their combustion engine equivalents would have emitted over a year. In addition, Mecalac’s zero emission offering is also a response to limiting noise pollution and now offers new capacities for working inside. Mecalac’s new ‘e range’ and its onsite battery charging solution have been developed by the company to pave the way for smart, clean and silent worksites.