Hitachi’s electric drive project for Europe

Hitachi Construction Machinery is partnering with Kiesel Technologie Entwicklung (KTEG) to develop electric construction machinery for sale in Europe. Kiesel is one of Hitachi’s European distributors and the agreement will also include developing special application products for the European market. Hitachi Construction Machinery has previously developed electric construction machinery to help lower running costs and environmental impact. Previous electric machines from the company include small-medium si
October 26, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Hitachi has agreed to form a joint venture with German firm KTEG to develop electric machines for the European market
233 Hitachi Construction Machinery is partnering with 7050 Kiesel Technologie Entwicklung (KTEG) to develop electric construction machinery for sale in Europe. Kiesel is one of Hitachi’s European distributors and the agreement will also include developing special application products for the European market.


Hitachi Construction Machinery has previously developed electric construction machinery to help lower running costs and environmental impact. Previous electric machines from the company include small-medium sized electric excavators. So far the firm has supplied over 100 units, with the majority going to Japanese customers.

Hitachi has already supplied large electric hydraulic excavators to many mines, again with the machines powered by cables. In addition Hitachi Construction Machinery has been involved in the development of battery-powered electric excavators, starting with the ZX70B in 2006.

However the firm is looking to capitalise on the potential for electric machines in Europe. One of the important factors is that the European market has some of the strictest regulations in the world regarding global warming prevention and low carbon emissions. This means that there is a particularly strong potential for both electric automobiles and construction machinery. As KTEG has considerable in-house knowledge of electric construction machinery, it is a logical step that Hitachi will partner with the firm to develop models for the European market.

KTEG has already developed large demolition equipment and other special application products based on Hitachi’s hydraulic excavators.

With the establishment of this new company, the electric technology of Hitachi Construction Machinery and technical know-how of KTEG will be brought together to use components from current equipment, and develop electric construction machinery.

The new firm will be called EAC European Application Center and its head office will be located in Stockstadt am Rhein, Hessen, Germany. Hitachi Construction Machinery will hold a 49.9% stake in the business while KTEG will hold 50.1%.

Engines, Components & Tyres

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Hitachi revamps excavators to boost performance
    January 15, 2016
    Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) says that its new ZX350LC-6 excavator offers durability and efficiency The machine comes with added protection for key components and is said to offer reliability and high availability. Enlarged track guards reduce potential damage to track links. The front attachment’s durability has been enhanced by HN bushings to strengthen the brackets on the boom end and foot, and reinforced resin thrust plates on the boom. The 210kW Zaxis-6 medium excavator incorporates hi
    Read More
  • Booming Chinese aggregate demand
    February 22, 2013
    Global demand for construction aggregates is set to increase 5.2% a year until 2015 to 48.3 billion tonnes, according to research by The Freedonia Group in the United States. The same source tips China alone to account for half of all new aggregate demand worldwide in the period 2010-2015. Guy Woodford reports on the growing importance of the Asian aggregates market. China is already the biggest nation for aggregate production and use in the world, and the competition among the giants of aggregate productio
    Read More
  • Portugese opt for Hitachi machinery
    June 18, 2012
    Hitachi construction machinery is said to be helping Portgual’s building industry pull through the global economic downturn. Two of the country’s largest construction companies, Mota-Engil – Engenharia e Construção SA and Agrepor – Agregados SA, are using Hitachi’s ZX670LCH-3 large excavators. Portugal’s membership of the European Union (EU) is said to have been hugely beneficial for the country’s infrastructure, including the development of new highways. However, the financial crisis has affected the count
    Read More
  • SANY occupies a strong position in China as well as worldwide
    January 6, 2017
    SANY president Wenbo Xiang is confident for the firm’s future as a major international player - Mike Woof reports One of China’s biggest and most powerful companies, the SANY Group is looking to further expansion.
    Read More

Highlighted Content