Adoption of Electrification and Hybrid Drive for More Energy-efficient Construction Machinery

Manabu Edamura, Dr. Eng. Seiji Ishida Shinya Imura Shiho Izumi OVERVIEW: As for automobiles, electric and hybrid drives are effective technologies for improving the energy efficiency of construction machinery. In July 2011, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. released the 20-metricton ZH200 hybrid hydraulic excavator. Having overcome the cost, reliability, durability, and safety challenges associated with the adoption of hybrid drive, the number of ZH200 machines in service is steadily growing thanks to the strong reputation it has earned for ease of use and work performance as well as for energy efficiency. In the future, Hitachi Construction Machinery intends to continue incorporating its device and electronic control technologies for electric drives into construction machinery to deliver products that match customer needs while also providing excellent energy-efficient performance.