Australian equipment specialists, Semco, recently received their first Takeuchi TB20e, marking the arrival of one of the first battery-powered compact excavators on the continent. This development, however, is not its only remarkable feature.

Comparable in size and performance to Takeuchi’s diesel-powered TB216 compact excavator, the TB20e operates on a lithium-ion battery, providing up to eight hours of continuous runtime. The true innovation lies in its capability to extend operational time: operators can connect the TB20e’s onboard charger to a power source, allowing the excavator to remain functional.

On job sites equipped with grid power, this feature theoretically enables the TB20e to operate continuously. In scenarios where grid power is unavailable or impractical to access, an optional off-board fast charger can recharge the TB20e’s 24.7 kWh lithium-ion battery in less than four hours using 408v to 552v three-phase power. The Takeuchi excavator is powered by two electric motors—one for drive and one for hydraulics—ensuring its operational efficiency.

Stuart Marriott, National Product Manager for Takeuchi Australia, emphasizes the company's commitment to environmental stewardship, highlighting the TB20e as an essential step for fleets aiming to decarbonize. “The new battery-powered excavator is designed to help our customers meet their own sustainability goals without sacrificing the performance and reliability they expect from Semco and Takeuchi,” Marriott states.

Increasingly stringent noise regulations, corporate ESG goals, no-drip job sites, and strict emissions standards are compelling even the most reluctant manufacturers to adopt electric construction equipment. While Takeuchi may not be a dominant player in the US market, its innovative use of grid power and the combination of on- and off-board chargers are features that merit attention from even the largest manufacturers.