Komatsu electric mini offers ‘realistic working day’ operation

Komatsu said its PC20E-6 battery powered mini excavator is now commercially available and has been designed to operate for a “realistic working day”.

The OEM said the machine will be ideal for both traditional jobsites and noise-sensitive or indoor applications where zero emissions are required. It is powered by a 11.8 kW battery with 23.2 kWh capacity and has an operating weight of 2.1 tonnes.

The drive train was developed by Komatsu in Europe and comes with the OEM’s ‘E-Support’ program for owners of its electric mini excavators, meaning factory scheduled, free maintenance by a Komatsu-trained technician; a three-year or 2,000 hour warranty for the machine; and a five-year or 10,000 hour parts warranty for components of the electric driveline.

Komatsu’s PC20E-6 electric mini excavator. (Image: Komatsu)

“The Komatsu E-Support customer programme is included free of charge with every market-ready electric mini excavator and offers exclusive machine support,” said Emanuele Viel, Group Manager Utility at Komatsu Europe.

“The bottom line is that the risk for the end customer is significantly reduced, especially when it comes to exploring the electrification advances in the industry.”

Komatsu said the design of the machine had incorporated analysis of data from 40,000 working days of mini excavators of a comparable size, which found that in 90% of cases, they work less than 3.5 hours per day.

The OEM said; “This defined the target for the required, reliable working time with the excavator. This result makes it possible for Komatsu to offer an attractively priced machine with a performance that exactly matches the requirements.”

The PC20E-6 offers capacity for around 3:20 hours (operating mode P), 3:40 hours (operating mode E0) or 4:00 hours (operating mode E1).

On-board charging for 230V and 3kW charging power, compatible with various plug adapters, is standard, with the option of an external DC quick charger for 400V and 12kW charging power (available from October 2025), to charge the machine over a lunch break.

Komatsu said data on similar batteries used on its electric forklift trucks in Japan suggested a battery service life of around 10 years, assuming it is charged and discharged daily during operation.

There is also a benefit of less maintenance. Compared to the conventional diesel powered PC20, there is no need to check the dust indicator; the water separator, drain water and sediment; drain water and sediment from fuel tank; and coolant and oil levels.