CASE delivers first electric backhoe loaders to utilities in New York

The construction industry's first designed and commercially developed electric backhoe loaders — two CASE 580 EV backhoes from CASE Construction Equipment — have been delivered and are currently working with utilities in New York. 

New York State Gas & Electric and Rochester Gas & Electric will debut their first electric backhoe this week at a special event in New York. National Grid took delivery of its first electric backhoe earlier this year. The backhoes require no diesel and produce zero emissions — all while providing the power and performance associated with diesel-powered equipment.  

CASE announced the development of the electric backhoe in March of 2020, and has been working with each utility on refining the machines ahead of final delivery and field deployment. Monroe Tractor in New York will work with each utility and the integration partners to support the equipment in the field.  

The 580 EV is powered by Green Machine's proprietary 480-volt, 90-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion WhisperDrive battery pack that can be charged by any 220-volt connection. While applications vary, each charge can support common eight-hour workdays. The battery separately powers the drivetrain and hydraulic motors, resulting in hydraulic breakout forces equal to diesel-powered machines and improved performance during simultaneous loader and drivetrain operation.

It is estimated that the 580 EV could save fleets as much as 90 percent in annual vehicle service and maintenance costs when taking into account the reduction/elimination of diesel, engine oil, diesel exhaust fluid, regular preventive maintenance and long-term engine upkeep/maintenance and the associated labour rates and time savings.