[Hyundai Construction Equipment]
SEOUL -- Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE), a heavy equipment maker in South Korea, has developed an electric powered mini excavator in a joint project with Cummins, an American diesel and alternative fuel generator maker, to target the global market.
While diesel compact excavators remain predominant in the compact excavator market, demands for eco-friendly and more power efficient electric powered excavators are rising. The electric diggers are welcomed in urban construction sites because they are quieter than diesel models and emit no fumes.
HCE said in a statement Tuesday that it has worked with Cummins to develop a versatile 3.5-ton electric excavator mounted with lithium-ion batteries which last up to eight hours. As environmental regulations are being strengthened around the world, major European cities such as Paris and Athens will phase out diesel vehicles.
"HCE anticipates that mini excavators, which operate in urban workplaces close to residential areas, will be a prime candidate to meet zero-emission and low noise requirements in the near future," HCE vice president Kim Dae-soon was quoted as saying.
Heavy equipment makers such as Volvo and Bobcat lead the electric excavator market. Because electric compact excavators are not fit for deep excavations, demands for diesel excavators are still high.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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