Chinese Lead the Charge with Electric Machines

I would like to thank our friend Ollie Kitchin, who discovered this machine topic over on Instagram and subsequently gave me a heads up for a blog post on it.

When it comes to all things electric, like it or not, the Chinese are leading the way in this technology, with most of the major Chinese construction equipment brands producing some kind of electric/battery powered models or at least prototype machines.

One less well-known manufacturer is Fujian South-China Heavy Machinery Manufacturing Co Ltd, who trade under the brand name SOCMA who were founded in 2010. The company is primarily focused on producing material handling machines such as forklifts, but has expanded into construction equipment including wheeled loaders and excavators and in particular, electric machines.

Ollie highlighted the SOCMA HNE80W-EL model, an 8-tonne class lithium battery powered wheeled excavator which has a power output rating of 46.5kw. Battery capacity is said to be 109kW/h and SOCMA suggest the machine can work for 8-10 hours on a single charge. The electric motor also comes with an eight-year warranty.

This particular unit is apparently heading for Norway who are leading the way in the deployment of electric construction machines on sites across the country.

The HNE80W-EL has an operating weight of 8500kgs, a maximum dig depth of 3930mm, maximum digging reach of 6720mm and a maximum digging force of 50kn.

Checkout this short promotional video from SOCMA which also features their HNL16EL and HNL50EL electric wheeled loader models.

Big thanks again to Ollie Kitchin for raising awareness of these products.