Joint PoC Verification Tests to Start for Electrification of Small and Medium-sized Hydraulic Excavators:
Komatsu has signed a collaboration agreement with Proterra Inc of the United States, to receive the supply of Proterra’s industry-leading battery systems with the aim of having Komatsu electrify its small and medium-sized hydraulic excavators. Komatsu
plans to advance the Proof of Concept tests starting in 2021 and enter commercial production of its electric excavators in 2023 to 2024.
Proterra is a leader in commercial vehicle electrification technology. Through its Proterra Powered program, the company delivers its battery systems and electrification solutions to help heavy-duty and commercial vehicle manufacturers around the world electrify their vehicles.
In April 2020, Komatsu launched the PC30E-5 electric mini excavator. For its small and medium-sized models, Komatsu is going to receive high-performance batteries and peripherals which Proterra has developed with its state-of-the art technology accumulated over the years as North America’s leading manufacturer of electric transit vehicles. At the same time, Komatsu is going to collaborate with Proterra as one of its strategic partners of PoC tests.
In the course of PoC tests, Proterra and Komatsu will develop an optimal battery system for small and medium-sized hydraulic excavators which require a large amount of output. Proterra’s flexible battery platform leverages industry-leading energy density and are highly customizable, an important advantage of their batteries that enables Komatsu to achieve optimal packaging of the batteries in excavators by combining them with Komatsu-developed key components.
Komatsu also expects to generate additional benefits by integrating the partner’s technology with its own, such as integral technology for the development of machine bodies.
Komatsu has led the industry by developing products designed to contribute to mitigating environmental impact, as represented by its hybrid hydraulic excavators in 2008, which marked the world’s first hybrid construction equipment on the market, and its PC30E-5 electric mini excavator launched as domestic rental equipment.
