Bobcat Showcases Electric-Powered Construction Equipment in California

Bobcat Company recently showcased the capabilities of its battery powered construction equipment lineup at a series of test drive and live demonstration events near Los Angeles in Granada Hills and in Stockton, California.

This tour featured the Bobcat T7X all-electric compact track loader and two electric compact excavators, the E32e and E10e. Each of these new models are alternatives to diesel equipment for government and private fleets to reduce carbon footprints and reduce jobsite noise levels.

Attending the events included leaders from California Air Resources Board, City of Los Angeles, Port of Los Angeles, Stanislaus County, and other public organizations, as well as Sunbelt Rentals, Bobcat dealers, and construction contractors. Attendees had the opportunity to test drive the machines, participate in live demonstrations, and meet with the innovators behind the electric-powered off-road equipment.

“These electric, off-road construction machines are a promising step in our aim to increase access to clean off-road equipment that produces near-zero emissions in California,” said William Robertson, Ph.D., vehicle program specialist with the Mobile Source Control Division at CARB. “The commercialization of cleaner off-road technologies shown at these events are exciting examples supporting the state’s transition to a clean energy economy.”

Sunbelt Rentals is the first company to invest in a large fleet of T7X loaders, as well as electric compact excavators. These pieces of equipment are scheduled to be delivered and available for rent by Sunbelt Rental customers in California and at other U.S. locations starting in July.

“We are thrilled to showcase these machines and demonstrate how off-road construction equipment is the next frontier in electric vehicles. They are designed to deliver a smaller carbon footprint and a quieter jobsite experience but can also outperform their diesel machine counterparts,” said Joel Honeyman, VP of global innovation at Bobcat. “These machines offer zero-emissions and clean solutions that meet today’s growing regulations, as well as the high standards of government and construction customers in a variety of applications.”

The Bobcat T7X debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January 2022, and it received two 2022 CES Innovation Awards in the Categories of Vehicle Intelligence & Transportation and Smart Cities.

The new, all-electric T7X uses less than one gallon of eco-friendly coolant compared to 57 gallons of fluid in its diesel/hydraulic equivalent model.

“The T7X compact track loader and our electric excavator lineup are technological feats for Bobcat and the industry,” said Honeyman. “We continually receive positive comments from operators who drive these EV machines. They are excited about the exceptional power, response time and performance that matches or exceeds the diesel machines they are accustomed to operating but with no emissions.”

Powered by lithium-ion batteries and producing zero emissions, the T7X and electric compact excavators support environmentally sensitive worksites. They allow users to operate inside structures where diesel exhaust is restricted.

The Bobcat electric machines will deliver up to four hours of active work per charge depending on usage and the application. While applications vary, each charge can support common daily work operations and the use of work modes for up to four hours of continuous operation time and a full day of operation during intermittent use or a typical contractor workday.