CASE 580 EV ELECTRIC BACKHOE LOADER
Defi nitely one of this year’s show stealers, Case
Construction Equipment used ConExpo 2020 as the
launchpad for “Project Zeus” aka the 580 EV, the
construction industry’s fi rst fully electric backhoe loader.
Ed Brenton, product marketing manager with Case, took to
the fl oor and offered a walkaround to those assembled.
“The 580 EV is powered by a 480-volt, 90-kilowatthour
lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged by
any 220-volt/three-phase connection,” he said. “It will
typically run for an eight-hour day and you can charge it
back up in eight.” When requesting the demonstrator to
start the engine he smiled at its silence, remarking that,
“this makes it ideal for utilities companies or anything
operating right next to a home business.”
The power and performance of the 580 EV is equivalent
to other diesel-powered backhoes in the Case product line
and provides considerably lower daily operating costs
while also producing zero emissions — a motivating factor
for utility and government contractors incentivised to
work with equipment that leverages alternative fuels
and lowers emissions.
“The backhoe loader is perfectly suited for
electrifi cation,” said Eric Zieser, director, global
compact equipment product line, Case. “The varied
use cycles, from heavy to light work, provide an
excellent opportunity to convert wasted diesel
engine hours into zero consumption battery time —
yet offer the operator instantaneous torque response
when needed.”
It is estimated that if the 580 EV concept reaches
market it could save fl eets as much as 90% in annual
vehicle service and maintenance costs.
WHAT’S NEW
DEREK JOHNS, IVT INTERNATIONAL
CONEXPO 2020 SHOWCASED
A HOST OF NEW MACHINES,
MANY OF WHICH REFLECTED
THE GLOBAL SHIFT TOWARDS
ELECTRIC VEHICLES. WE PICK
FIVE STANDOUT DEBUTS
1
CON EXPO HIGHLIGHT
of the best
10 iVTInternational.com June 2020
/iVTInternational.com