Case rolls out ‘Project Zeus,’ the industry’s first fully electric backhoe
By On-Site Staff
Case Construction Equipment premiered the construction industry’s first fully electric backhoe loader — dubbed “Project Zeus” at this year’s Conexpo.
While offering equivalent performance to diesel models in the company’s lineup, the new 580 EV offers considerable cost savings and zero on-site emissions.
“The backhoe loader is perfectly suited for electrification as the varied use cycles, from heavy to light work, provide an excellent opportunity to convert wasted diesel engine hours into zero consumption battery time — yet provide the operator with instantaneous torque response when needed,” said Eric Zieser, director of global compact equipment product line at CASE. “At low idle a diesel engine has reduced torque and requires time for the engine to ramp up to meet the load demands. Electric motors, on the other hand, have instantaneous torque and peak torque available at every operating speed.”
At the show, the company said it had already produced two 580 V units for the utilities market and it plans to ramp up production through 2020.
