Case Construction Equipment releases the industry’s first electric backhoe
Case Construction Equipment is marking a new milestone in emissions-free heavy equipment with the commercial release of its 580EV, the industry’s first electric backhoe loader.
The 580EV electric backhoe loader carries over the same loading and digging specifications and delivers the same breakout forces as the four-wheel-drive, 97-hp 580SN diesel machine.
Case officially launched the backhoe during a virtual press conference in August.
“Today marks an important milestone, not just for our company as we push the industry forward, but also for the advancement of EV technology and sustainable construction everywhere,” said Terry Dolan, Vice President, North America, Case Construction Equipment.
“Innovation isn’t just a buzz word, it’s part of our DNA at Case. It’s how we’ve operated for more than 180 years, and how we’re leading the industry into the future.”
The 580EV electric backhoe expands its EV options for municipal crews, utility teams, urban construction and other contractors looking to utilize low noise, zero emissions machine.
The next generation of electric equipment offers crews a zero-emissions, low-noise solutions for a wide range of unique jobsite demands — from overnight construction, to work in urban centres or other close-quarter environments where noise and emissions must be kept to a minimum.
“Why EVs? For Case, it’s all about unlocking more opportunities for our customers. And let me tell you, there are more opportunities than people realize,” Dolan said. “Think about it, a powerful electric machine that produces zero emissions, minimal noise and requires no diesel fuel. It changes the game for where, when and how crews can get work done.”
An electrified workhorse
Case originally introduced the concept of an electric backhoe as Project Zeus at ConExpo in 2020. Since then, Case has been gathering input from contractors to help develop the 580EV.
“We listened to what our customers wanted to see in an electric backhoe and purpose built this machine to be an EV from Day 1. After unveiling project Zeus in 2020, we received a lot of customer feedback that influenced this final design,” said Brad Stemper, Product Management Lead, North America, Case.
With the new production unit, Case took customer feedback and optimized everything from thermal management to operator controls to electrify a machine with comparable specs to the widely used 580SN. Case also included new features, like a 20-cm colour display, air conditioning, a front-dash display and adjustable four-corner, multicoloured LED strobe lights.
“Instead of just simply retrofitting a diesel-powered machine, we considered everything that might impact energy efficiency,” Stemper said. “And throughout the validation process, we continue to refine systems across the unit to optimize efficiency without sacrificing anything for lift, anything for digging and any driving performance.”
Powered by a 400-volt, 71-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery platform that’s charged with the same type of Level 2 J1772 adapter found in automotive EVs, the new electric backhoe loader is designed to deliver up to eight hours of operational run time on a single charge, depending on the application.
Battery performance
The battery platform also uses an advanced thermal management system with system-specific cooling circuits to better regulate temperatures and help maintain performance in hot or cold conditions.
A fully depleted battery can be charged to 100 per cent power in about seven and a half hours. As well, the 580EV’s battery can be charged from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in about four and a half hours. Case estimates a full charge allows four to eight hours of true operation, depending on the application.
“A useful machine like a backhoe loader can do a lot of different tasks with a lot of different energy demands,” Stemper said. “As you know, backhoes are often used with other activities on a job site like plumbing and electrical work. So rarely are they used the entire day.”
He added that unlike a diesel backhoe that will likely sit idling, the 580EV doesn’t consume energy while it’s not operating.
“As a comparison, the duty load for our EV machine aligns with a typical day’s workload for a diesel running in similar applications,” Stemper said.
The four-wheel-drive 580EV uses two independent electric motors for the PowerDrive transmission and hydraulic pumps feeding the loader, backhoe and steering systems to minimize energy consumption and improve performance in loading applications.
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“We drew from the popular Case 580 Super N and used our energy efficient Case PowerDrive powershift transmission with hydraulic clutch and auto shift functionality,” Stemper said. “And we incorporated electrohydraulic loader and backhoe controls to help enhance operator control and further increase the machine’s overall efficiency.”
The 4.3 metre backhoe also includes an Extendahoe to boost reach, while features like ProControl swing dampening, PowerLift/PowerBoost and electrohydraulic controls improve precision and ease of use on the jobsite.
Electrification also provides performance advantages like instantaneous torque response and peak torque at any rpm, so operators don’t need to wait for an internal combustion engine to ramp up to meet load demands.
In the cab, Case takes the same operator-first approach as on other machines, with features like energy-efficient heating and air conditioning, a 20-cm touchscreen display, customizable work mode or sensitivity settings, push-button start and operator security codes.
Case’s EV backhoe loader will soon be followed by the commercial availability of two additional EV machines — the CX25EV 2.5 tonne mini excavator and the CL36EV 3.6 tonne compact wheel loader. The new equipment increases Case’s EV lineup to five models, including the previously launched CX15EV electric mini excavator and the SL22EV small articulated loader.
“All of these new machines represent a new benchmark in electrification and sustainable construction, bringing practical solutions to unique demands on the job site,” Stemper said. “Electrification isn’t just an alternative way of doing the same work. EVs are new specialized tools that add to the toolbox for unique job site challenges.”
