The Mecalac e12 is a 100 percent electric excavator designed for urban building sites

Mecalac's e12 is a 100 percent electric excavator that meets three key requirements of urban building sites: range, performance and compactness.

Three major challenges

The e12 is an electric version of the 12 MTX and fits perfectly within Mecalac's philosophy of engineering equipment that is compact, high-performance and environmentally friendly for urban building sites. The architecture of the internal combustion version of the 12 MTX is able to house LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery technology on the e12. 

"Any electric engine must rise to three major challenges: range, performance and compactness. The Mecalac e12 is the first 100 percent electric excavator that does not compromise on any of those three criteria. The key to our machine's range and performance is in its very architecture. The power source – which is separate from the upper structure – means we can install a record capacity of 146 kWh, which results in an unrivalled range of 8 hours," explains Patrick Brehmer, head of Design and Product Management.

Designed for the city

With a structure designed for the city from the outset and two independently operating electric motors, one powering the excavation mechanism and one for movement, the Mecalac e12 is ideal for plant fleets and urban settings. 

Apart from its performance and range, Mecalac says that the 100 percent electric transmission offers unrivalled tractive force as soon as the engine is started, with brake energy regeneration. The e12 charging station can be used to recharge the excavator on site in six to seven hours. Without compromising on power, the e12 can work all day without needing to recharge its batteries: it can run for eight hours at the highest power output.

The Mecalac e12 offers less vibration, less noise pollution, less maintenance (no more filters, oil, etc.), less risk of on-site accidents, less money spent on maintenance, and absolutely no CO2 or particulate emissions. Its articulated chassis means it can move easily around any site.

The e12 will be on display at Intermat 2018.