John Deere and US energy firm National Grid have announced plans to joint test an electric backhoe concept.
John Deere has developed a battery-powered, electric vehicle design referred to as E-Power.
This will target the ease of operation and performance level of the diesel-powered, 100hp 310L backhoe, according to the project partners.
The design is intended to “provide substantially lower daily operating costs, lower jobsite noise, enhanced machine reliability, and zero tailpipe emissions”, according to the US machinery giant.
Commenting, Jason Daly, global director of production systems, technology and marketing at John Deere, said: “We are excited to work with National Grid to test the John Deere electric backhoe design in real-world conditions.
“John Deere is committed to developing innovative, robustly tested, and reliable equipment for our customers, unlocking measurable value through the incorporation of smart technology solutions in our machines.
“This project is another stepping stone in our backhoe innovation journey, intended to lead to subsequent electrification testing and design refinement.”
The testing period will enable National Grid to expand its use of electric equipment on jobsites.
Badar Khan, president of National Grid, US, said: “National Grid is one of only two energy companies in the US to add electric backhoes to their fleets.
“Decarbonizing transportation remains a challenge in the journey to net zero and we’re hopeful that bringing on more electrified heavy-duty vehicles and equipment will help us make significant progress.”
