Shown for the first time in North America at the ICUEE show in Louisville, Ky., this prototype Hyundai R35E compact excavator was developed in collaboration with Cummins Inc. It is the first fully electric-powered machine from Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas. Eight Cummins BM4.4E flexible battery modules provide enough power to operate the machine for a full work shift and charge in under three hours. The machine eliminates all gaseous emissions and substantially reduces noise.

Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas unveiled the prototype of a fully electric-powered compact excavator at its exhibit in the ICUEE show.

Hyundai and Cummins Inc. collaborated in developing the electric-powered Hyundai R35E compact excavator.

"Hyundai is pleased to collaborate with a global industry leader like Cummins to address what both companies expect to be a burgeoning demand for electric-powered compact excavators," said Stan Park, vice president of distribution and marketing, Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas. "Cummins sought out Hyundai for this project after it found growing interest — especially in the rental market — in fully electric-powered machines.

"Through our collaboration, we have produced an excavator in the highly popular 3.5-ton size class, that we expect to be well received not only in the rental market, but in municipalities focused on ‘green initiatives,' in urban construction where machine noise can be an issue, and in applications that are exposed to fire hazards," Park said. "Hyundai is committed to this type of technology. The R35E will not be our only fully electric-powered excavator."

Electric Excavator Provides Clean, Quiet Power

Powered by Cummins BM4.4E flexible battery modules (4.4 kWh each), the Hyundai R35E excavator prototype is designed to support a full work shift and charge in less than three hours. The machine eliminates all gaseous emissions and substantially reduces noise, making it ideal for use in urban and suburban construction, according to the manufacturer.

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. The modular design also allows for scalability to other applications and duty cycles.

For more information, visit www.hceamericas.com or www.cummins.com.

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