Komatsu reaffirms carbon goals with electric launches

Komatsu showed six electric machines at Bauma – from a 1 tonne micro excavator up to a 20 tonne class machine - as it reaffirmed its goal to be a carbon neutral business by 2050.

The company, which showed 22 new machines in Munich, said its electric PC210E 20 tonne excavator will be launched in Japan and Europe next year. It uses a 123 kW lithium ion battery pack developed by Proterra and will operate for up to 8 hours on a single charge.

Komatsu’s PC210E electric excavator is undergoing testing before mass production. (Photo: Komatsu)

At the other end of the spectrum, the PC01E-1 is the company’s first battery operated micro excavator. This machine has been developed as a rental machine in Japan, where it was introduced earlier this year. The PC01E-1 uses a Honda Mobile Power Pack e.

The electric PC30 excavator, meanwhile, is also already in operation in Japan and will be available in Europe within six months.

Göksel Güner, Komatsu Europe’s COO, said in Munich that machines up to 20 tonnes would be capable of electrification, with larger models requiring other technologies such as hydrogen combustion and fuel cells. He said the company could not provide a timescale for the commercial launch of machines using these technologies.

Güner added that the 20 tonne ceiling for battery powered machines was not fixed; “who knows how battery technology will develop.” Currently, battery packs are too heavy for larger machines.

Komatsu’s PC01E micro execavator is already available as a rental product in Japan. (Photo: Komatsu)

Komatsu’s Europe’s Managing Director and CEO, Tadashi Maeda, said the company was committed to its carbon reduction goals, adding; “Rental companies can also help with the targets to reduce CO2, that’s why we are working together with these companies.”

The manufacturer aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, with a 50% reduction in emissions from its production activities by 2030 and the same target for emissions from machines in use.

Güner said Komatsu was taking great care in the testing of its electric products; “We want to be sure that the quality and reliability are confirmed.”