A-Plant invests in electric equipment

A-Plant has invested more than £350,000 in ten of JCB’s new 19C-1E electric mini excavators, in response to growing demand for environmentally friendly construction equipment.

Dave Harris, Business Development Director for the UK-based rental company, said, “Over the past year, we have witnessed significant customer demand for sustainable construction equipment and have made this a key focus of the company’s investment strategy.

“This year we have invested over £4 million in low or zero carbon equipment and are proud to be able to deliver the latest, sustainable options to customers.”

The 19C-1E went into full production at JCB’s Compact Products factory in Staffordshire, UK, a few weeks ago, and this is the largest fleet deal to date for the excavator.

Harris added, “We are excited to be taking the lead on electrification with our new fleet of electric JCB excavators. Offering all of the performance of a conventional excavator, but with added eco-friendly credentials, we’re sure the new fleet will be extremely popular with customers.”

JCB’s electric mini excavator is said to be five times quieter than its diesel counterpart. This, combined with the fact that it does not emit exhaust fumes, makes it suitable for indoor jobs and work on emissions- and noise-sensitive sites.

The 19E-1E is available with either three or four lithium-ion battery packs, providing a storage capacity of 15 or 20kWh. And with its battery management system, the machine can deliver a typical full day’s shift for a mini excavator.

It comes with an on-board charger with a 110V input for 12-hour recharging and the option of a 230V input for 8-hour recharging. There is also a fast-charge option that enables the excavator to be fully charged in less than 2 hours.