Case Construction Equipment officials today hosted a presentation where they unveiled the construction industry's first electric backhoe loader: the 580EV.
"We see our EV offering as a complement to internal combustion engines for companies who want to diversify their fleets, adding more tools into their toolkit," said Terry Dolan, vice president, Case Construction Equipment, North America. "There are jobs today that are still better suited for diesel, but there are a growing number of projects where electric power machines are the best tool for the job. Our focus is on creating swift, smooth and smart electric machines that can drive sustainability in a way that makes sense on the jobsite. We take a very purposeful approach to EV design that's born with real need, influenced by actual customer feedback and aimed at solving real-world problems. By taking construction equipment fundamentals and looking at every aspect of the machine, from top to bottom, we're able to optimize energy consumption and EV performance across the board, and that leads us to our latest breakthrough, bringing the case 580 EV."
This addition expands Case's EV tool box for municipal crews, utility teams, urban construction and other contractors. Case’s EV backhoe loader will soon be followed by the commercial availability of two additional EV machines: the CX25EV 2.5-metric ton mini excavator and the CL36EV 3.6-metric ton compact wheel loader. The new equipment increases Case’s EV lineup to five models, including the previously launched CX15EV electric mini excavator and the SL22EV small articulated loader.
Case 580EV electric backhoe loader
The new Case 580EV electric backhoe loader carries over the same dimensional loading and digging specifications and delivers the same breakout forces as the four-wheel-drive, 97-hp Case 580SN diesel model, marking an upgrade in performance since Case first debuted its Project Zeus electric backhoe concept at CONEXPO in 2020. With this new production unit, Case took customer feedback and optimized everything from thermal management to operator controls in order to electrify a machine with comparable specs to the widely used 580SN. Case also included new features, like an 8-inch color display, air conditioning, a front-dash display and adjustable four-corner, multicolored LED strobe lights.
Powered by a 400-volt, 71-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery platform that’s charged with the same type of Level 2 J1772 adapter found in automotive EVs, the new electric backhoe loader is designed to deliver up to eight hours of operational run time on a single charge, depending on the application. The battery platform also uses an advanced thermal management system with system-specific cooling circuits to better regulate temperatures and help maintain performance in hot or cold conditions.
The four-wheel-drive 580EV uses two independent electric motors for the PowerDrive transmission and hydraulic pumps feeding the loader, backhoe and steering systems to minimize energy consumption and improve performance in loading applications. The 14-foot backhoe also includes an Extendahoe to boost reach, while features like ProControl swing dampening, PowerLift/PowerBoost and electrohydraulic controls improve precision and ease of use on the jobsite. Electrification also provides performance advantages like instantaneous torque response and peak torque at any RPM, so operators don’t need to wait for an internal combustion engine to ramp up to meet load demands.
In the cab, Case takes the same operator-first approach as on other machines, with features like energy-efficient heating and air conditioning, an 8-inch touchscreen display, customizable work mode/sensitivity settings, push-button start and operator security codes. Multicolored, four-corner strobe lights also let operators work safely and meet regulatory requirements, with adjustable colors, strobe patterns and an “always-on” feature for low-light conditions when strobes are not needed.
Two additional compact EVs
In addition to the 580EV electric backhoe, Case will also make two more EV models commercially available in the coming months. The Case CX25EV electric mini excavator and the Case CL36EV electric compact wheel loader will round out the Case EV lineup for a total of five machines.
A bigger, more powerful version of Case’s existing electric mini excavator, the 2.5-metric ton CX25EV delivers emissions-free performance and maneuverability well-suited for urban and infrastructure sites with high traffic. This highly versatile machine includes hydraulic flow settings and up to three auxiliary circuits that can be paired with a variety of quick couplers and attachments. It’s also equipped with electrohydraulic controls and a short-radius design, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
The 3.6-metric ton Case CL36EV electric compact wheel loader delivers the same power and performance as comparably sized diesel-powered loaders, along with simplified maintenance and lower lifetime total cost of ownership. This versatile machine can be matched with a full range of attachments and features a hinge-pin height of over 10 feet, making it an ideal solution for supply yards, large-scale building renovations or projects where indoor operation is required.
With the bolstered EV lineup, Case brings a bigger range of solutions for unique operating environments that require low noise or no emissions. The new machines complement the Case portfolio of diesel machines by giving crews more ways to get work done more productively and efficiently while also minimizing carbon footprints.
"All of these new machines represent a new benchmark in electrification and sustainable construction, bringing practical solutions to unique demands on the jobsite," said Brad Stemper, head of construction equipment product management, North America, Case Construction Equipment. "EVs are new, specialized tools that add to the tool box for unique jobsite challenges so that workers can get the job done right. It's an exciting time for the industry, as advancements in electrification transform what we can achieve on the job, providing new ways for urban construction contractors, utility teams and municipal crews to further improve their productivity, efficiency, sustainability and most importantly, their bottom line. Most exciting of all is that this EV evolution has just begun. We look forward to leading the industry with the next generation of clean, running, powerful machine."
The CASE 580EV will be on display at the National Public Works Expo in September.
