CASE Construction Equipment has introduced the 580EV electric backhoe loader, a significant addition to its EV portfolio aimed at municipal crews, utility teams, urban construction, and other contractors. This next-generation electric vehicle (EV) equipment is designed to meet the growing demand for zero-emission, low-noise machinery in environments where such attributes are essential, including overnight construction projects, urban centers, and other close-quarter job sites.
The 580EV electric backhoe loader is powered by a 400-volt, 71-kWh lithium-ion battery platform, capable of delivering up to eight hours of operational runtime on a single charge. This battery is charged using a Level 2 J1772 adapter, commonly found in automotive EVs, making the charging process straightforward and accessible.
Terry Dolan, Vice President of North America at CASE Construction Equipment, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing customers with innovative tools designed to meet unique job site challenges. "The introduction of the 580EV electric backhoe loader reflects our dedication to offering solutions that help our customers excel in an evolving industry. We’ve taken a trusted industry staple and reimagined it as a purpose-built EV to meet the increasing demand for sustainable construction equipment," Dolan stated.
Performance and Specifications
The CASE 580EV electric backhoe loader retains the dimensional loading and digging specifications of the four-wheel-drive, 97-horsepower CASE 580SN diesel model, ensuring comparable breakout forces and overall performance. This new model represents an evolution from CASE's Project Zeus electric backhoe concept, first unveiled at CONEXPO in 2020. Feedback from customers played a crucial role in refining the machine, leading to enhancements in thermal management, operator controls, and overall electrification.
New features in the production unit include an 8-inch color display, air conditioning, a front-dash display, and adjustable four-corner, multicolored LED strobe lights. The battery system incorporates a thermal management system with specific cooling circuits to regulate temperatures, ensuring consistent performance in both hot and cold conditions.
Brad Stemper, Product Management Lead for North America at CASE, highlighted the innovative design approach: "By designing the 580EV from the ground up as a purpose-built EV, rather than a retrofit, we've introduced practical innovations that will change the perception of EV equipment in the industry. Every aspect of the machine was optimized for power consumption, resulting in outstanding EV performance that operators will notice immediately when digging, loading, or moving materials."
Operational Capabilities
The 580EV is equipped with four-wheel drive and utilizes two independent electric motors for the PowerDrive transmission and hydraulic pumps. These power the loader, backhoe, and steering systems, ensuring strong performance across various loading applications. The 14-foot backhoe includes an Extendahoe feature for increased reach, while additional functionalities such as ProControl swing dampening, PowerLift/PowerBoost, and electrohydraulic controls further enhance operational efficiency.
In the operator's cabin, CASE has maintained a consistent approach with its other machines, incorporating modern features such as heating and air conditioning, an 8-inch touchscreen display, customizable work mode and sensitivity settings, push-button start, and operator security codes. The multicolored, four-corner strobe lights are adjustable, allowing operators to meet regulatory requirements and work safely in low-light conditions. These lights offer customizable colors, strobe patterns, and an "always-on" feature when strobes are not required.
The 580EV electric backhoe loader represents CASE Construction Equipment's commitment to innovation and sustainability, offering contractors a powerful, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel-powered machines.
