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

  • Boom in Asian infrastructure investment
    February 8, 2012
    Investment in China and India continues unabated, but other nations on the continent are eager to attract companies as Patrick Smith reports Asia is still booming despite the current economic crisis, and new infrastructure programmes are constantly coming on stream. Powerhouses China and India, with their double-digit growth figures and huge infrastructure plans (in scope and cost), are leading the way and are still magnets for businesses wishing to expand, both in terms of facilities and customers. But oth
    Read More
  • Collaboration on road research and infrastructure innovation
    April 2, 2014
    Transnational collaboration on road infrastructure innovation is the aim of the ERA-NET Plus (EN Plus) Infravation event. The Infravation 2014 Call for this collaboration of 11 countries on road infrastructure innovation will be launched on 3rd March 2014. It will pool funding of some €9 million, of which one-third comes from the European Commission (EC). For the first time, the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will also contribute funding to an EN Plus Call however. This is a major development and
    Read More
  • Roll up, roll up to see Hitachi’s new walk-behind roller
    February 5, 2015
    The TMR65KDS walk-behind roller is one of a host of new compaction equipment models from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe). Suitable for a number of small-scale jobs, including those incorporating asphalt and sand, the versatile new machine is designed to be highly productive and easy to operate. The Hitachi TMR65KDS walk-behind roller is said to offer exceptional performance and quality thanks to the direct connection between the hydraulic motors and the drums – without the need for a gear reductio
    Read More
  • Roll up, roll up to see Hitachi’s new walk-behind roller
    January 6, 2017
    The TMR65KDS walk-behind roller is one of a host of new compaction equipment models from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe). Suitable for a number of small-scale jobs, including those incorporating asphalt and sand, the versatile new machine is designed to be highly productive and easy to operate. The Hitachi TMR65KDS walk-behind roller is said to offer exceptional performance and quality thanks to the direct connection between the hydraulic motors and the drums – without the need for a gear reductio
    Read More

Highlighted Content