Heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. is expanding its electrification offering with the introduction of four new battery-electric machine prototypes as well as a battery prototype for off-highway applications. The company plans to highlight these new developments at bauma 2022, the triennial construction and mining industry trade show.
READ MORE: bauma 2022: New Construction and Mining Technology Launches
Battery-Electric Machines for Varied Applications
Caterpillar has been developing electric powered equipment for several years, many of which are already in use in mining applications. The company is expanding its offering which will benefit customers in construction and other applications as well with four new prototype models:
- 301.9 mini excavator,
- 320 medium excavator,
- 950 GC medium wheel loader and
- 906 compact wheel loader.
All four machines are powered by Caterpillar's new battery prototypes and include an onboard AC charger. The company said in its press release announcing the new machines that it also plans to offer an offboard DC fast charging option, providing customers the flexibility to utilize the charging solution which best meets their application needs.
The company anticipates making the 301.9 mini excavator and 906 compact wheel loader the first commercially available models. Electrification in smaller equipment like these machines is more feasible in the immediate term due to their reduced battery and charging requirements compared to larger pieces of equipment.
By developing these four electric machine variations, Caterpillar will be able to provide low-emission options which meet customers' varied application needs, a key goal for the company.
"It’s important we meet customers on their sustainability journey today with a variety of solutions including machines that run on renewable fuels or technology that increases fuel efficiency, as well as supporting them into the future as we power our next generation of machines," said Construction Industries Group President Tony Fassino in the company's press release.
Prototype Battery for Off-Highway Applications
To help power its various electric machines, Caterpillar has also developed a prototype battery available in three voltages:
- 48V
- 300V
- 600V
With these voltages the company will be able to meet the power needs of not only its own equipment but also third-party OEMs. The batteries utilize lithium-ion technology and have a modular design to easily fit into various machine designs.
READ MORE: Electric Vehicle Development to Grow Over Next Decade
Caterpillar said in its press release announcing the new battery prototypes they have the potential to be reused or recycled at the end of their useful life, further benefiting sustainability. Most batteries used in electric vehicles or machines may only have enough energy for about 10 years of use, but still contain enough energy for other applications such as energy storage. Many companies and organizations are looking for ways to give batteries a second life to keep them from entering landfills and make the electric vehicle ecosystem more sustainable.
In addition to the batteries, Caterpillar is developing inverters, motors, electronic controls, digital services and other technologies to aid with all aspects of electric machine use.
