Seemingly every equipment manufacturer has released—or is working on—electric equipment. There’s almost no way to escape the marketing and prototype hype along with its accompanying sustainability messaging.
The usual suspects include popular names such as Volvo, Cat, Deere, Case, Komatsu, and Bobcat.
Meanwhile, out of left field comes a company from New Jersey, HEVI, that says it produces “North America’s first commercially available all-electric heavy equipment,” sold direct, shipped with their own proprietary chargers, and delivered in six to eight months.
“Right now, we are the first company to have large electric off-highway equipment commercially available in the United States,” says Raymond Wang, the company’s CEO.
Among its offerings is a nearly 40,000-pound, 5-ton-rated wheel loader and a wheeled excavator. Of course, there is also the obligatory electric compact excavator.
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“Our primary target is contractors, although we see significant opportunities in serving municipalities as well,” says HEVI’s COO Dana Hopkins. “Contractors are our No. 1 focus because they represent a larger portion of the market and have more immediate demand for electric construction equipment to meet sustainability goals, reduce operating costs, and adhere to increasingly stringent emissions regulations.
“We also recognize the importance of municipalities in driving sustainability initiatives and infrastructure development, and we're actively engaging with them to offer tailored solutions that align with their environmental and budgetary objectives,” Hopkins says.
Wang says HEVI’s machines are best suited for yard applications, including municipal public works yards, waste management, and similar functions.
Customers so far include the Port of Baltimore, which has purchased the GEL-5000 wheel loader (39,683 pounds, 3.9-cubic-yard bucket).
But can a relatively unknown company effectively take on larger, established OEMs?
“Our strategy to compete with established OEMs and their dealers in the electric construction equipment market is centered around innovation, agility, and customer-centricity,” Hopkins says. “While we respect the legacy of our competitors, our focus is on developing cutting-edge EV construction equipment and charging solutions that address the evolving needs of the construction industry, offering improved efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs.”
HEVI's iron is assembled at its production facility in Baltimore and HEVI’s batteries are manufactured by CATL, which also provides batteries to Tesla, Ford, and GM.
“In working with CATL to design a battery specifically for our equipment and the needs of the heavy equipment market we are able to provide the power and depth of charge to make HEVI a viable option for many applications in the construction or agriculture industries,” Hopkins says.
HEVI has developed two charging solutions specifically for its equipment.
“First is our 220V portable unit that is included with every machine, and next is our 480v solution that can deliver up to 30 KWH recharging our equipment overnight so it’s ready for our customers to get to work the next day,” Hopkins says. “Also, HEVI equipment can be recharged using DCFC chargers, like those you’d find for charging [electric] passenger vehicles. These chargers can fully charge our equipment in as little as 90 minutes.”
Wang adds that all the company’s batteries are warrantied for five years and have a 12-year expected lifespan “to match the lifespan of the machine.”
Obtaining service for HEVI equipment sounds like a work in progress, but there is also a strong push toward empowering customers with options and supporting right to repair.
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“HEVI is establishing a network of authorized service providers so their local machinery repair center can be trained and certified to further support their equipment,” Wang says.
“We recognize that our customers are often knowledgeable and skilled individuals who prefer to perform basic service tasks themselves,” Hopkins says.
“Having a network of authorized service providers is a critical component of our commitment to customer satisfaction and supporting their ability to service their construction equipment,” he continues. “This network offers a comprehensive service solution that brings substantial value to our customers. First and foremost, it provides customers with peace of mind knowing that qualified professionals are readily available to address any complex repairs or maintenance tasks, ensuring that their equipment remains in optimal working condition.
‘Simultaneously, our commitment to right-to-repair legislation reinforces our dedication to empowering customers,” Hopkins says.
The company asserts that 90% of anticipated service on its equipment can accomplished with standard tools—and without proprietary parts or software.
Read more about HEVI equipment in "Purpose-built Design Benefits Electric Construction Equipment" from Power & Motion, an Endeavor Business Media sibling publication.
