• What operations or applications is the electric excavator primarily used for? The excavator is primarily used to feed wood into a grinder.
• What is its approximate operating range in your day-to-day operations? Au niveau de l’autonomie, ça dépend de plusieurs facteurs, mais elle est entre 8h et 11h.
• What is the typical charging time observed? The charging time using a 130 kW charging station ranges between 2.6 and 3.5 hours.
• Since the implementation of your new charging hub, have you observed any particular changes or benefits in the use of the excavator and your wheel loaders? The main advantage of the charging hub is that it allows multiple pieces of equipment to be charged simultaneously. The equipment can be charged at power levels of up to 360 kW, significantly reducing downtime.
The charging hub is also designed with a pull-through configuration, allowing vehicles and equipment to move through the site easily without the need for complex maneuvering or reversing. This layout makes access to the charging stations simpler, safer, and more efficient for day-to-day operations.
• What was the primary factor that motivated your decision to acquire electric excavators and wheel loaders? For several years, we have been working to gradually replace our diesel-powered equipment with electric alternatives. These machines deliver comparable performance while significantly reducing fuel-related operating costs. Maintenance costs are also lower, as there is no diesel engine or complex emissions-control systems to service.
• How do operators rate their experience with the excavator? Operators greatly appreciate the new 100% electric equipment. Daily inspections are simplified since there is no diesel engine to inspect and no engine oil levels to check. Essentially, all they need to do is plug in the charging connector at the end of their shift.
The other major advantage is the significantly lower noise level. The equipment operates much more quietly, which improves operator comfort throughout the day. By the end of the shift, noise-related fatigue is reduced, helping operators recover more effectively.
• Have you encountered any unexpected surprises, positive or negative, since the equipment was put into service? We have not encountered any major surprises so far. The equipment has performed very well and has met our expectations.
The main point to consider is the reliability of the charging infrastructure. It is essential to have a dependable charging system and a reliable electrical supply. If the charging station or the electrical grid experiences an issue, the equipment cannot be recharged. Aside from this consideration, we are very satisfied with the performance and operation of the equipment.
• What advice would you give to a company interested in electric heavy equipment? My first piece of advice would be to assess the electrical capacity available at your site to ensure that the installation of charging stations is feasible.
I would then recommend starting with a first piece of electric equipment to become familiar with the technology and assess its integration into day-to-day operations. This provides a practical way to compare the differences between diesel and electric equipment.
Companies typically realize fairly quickly that operating and maintenance costs are lower. It then becomes easy to assess whether this technology meets their operational needs.
