Dana and Mecalac have collaborated to develop an innovative wheeled excavator featuring an all-electric drivetrain. The firms have developed the special e-Drivetrain system for the new Mecalac e12 electric compact wheeled excavator. This machine recently won the Energy Transition Award as part of the 2018 Intermat Innovation Awards.
Based on the proven Mecalac 12MTX model, this version is the world’s first all-electric compact wheeled excavator. The machine features Spicer 112 axles and a Spicer 367 shift-on-fly transmission. According to Mecalac, its e12 wheeled excavator delivers the range, performance, and compact size for use on urban construction sites and is designed to meet demand for equipment able to operate in low emission zones.
“As the European construction market embraces the trend toward zero-emission standards for small to mid-sized vehicles, our customers are demanding great strides in efficiency while also requiring reliable performance,” said Jean-Baptiste Rousseau, technologies manager at Mecalac. “Dana was able to adapt the 12MTX drivetrain to add electric drive capabilities within our existing vehicle architecture. With their technical expertise and open collaboration, we developed an optimal solution and accelerated the delivery of this vehicle to market.”
With an eight-hour working range, the engine compartment in the Mecalac e12 houses LiFePO4 battery technology – lithium iron phosphate for service life that is three times longer than classic batteries. The batteries can be charged in around seven hours.
Dana has experience developing drivetrain systems for hybrid and electric vehicles. The company also offers patented battery and electronic cooling technologies, along with fuel-cell technology. In addition, Dana engineers had extensive experience with this particular application because the diesel-powered version of this vehicle also features Spicer drivetrain components.
“As a Tier-One supplier, we understand that the success of electrification in the off-highway industry is driven by performance. These technologies must support a smooth transition to fully integrated electric-drive technologies optimized within a single package, providing both electrified and conventional powertrain options,” said Aziz Aghili, president of Dana Off-Highway Drive and Motion Technologies. “Dana’s support for new energy vehicles has been considerable, and growing every year, as the importance of engineering for hybridisation and electrification is further elevated throughout the industry.”
