Wacker Neuson is launching three new electric excavators on the market. The models ET18, ET20 and ET25 expand the existing E-portfolio of the Munich-based manufacturer and are aimed directly at urban underground construction. With this expansion, Wacker Neuson now has one of the broadest electric mini excavator ranges on the market – putting pressure on competitors such as Kubota, JCB and Takeuchi.
The three new models cover a weight range of 1.8 to 2.5 tons. Demand for emission-free machines is rising sharply, especially in this segment. Inner-city construction sites are increasingly subject to regulations, diesel driving bans are increasing. For excavation contractors, sewer cleaners and recycling companies, electric drive is becoming a requirement, not an option.
Wacker Neuson is relying on proven lithium-ion technology for the new excavators. Battery capacity and charging times have not yet been communicated in detail, but the manufacturer promises operating times that should be sufficient for a full working day. This is crucial: anyone operating a compact excavator on an inner-city construction site needs at least 6 to 8 operating hours without recharging. Shorter runtimes mean downtime – and that costs money.
The product expansion strengthens Wacker Neuson's competitive position in the market for electric construction machinery for inner-city use. The manufacturer already has experience with the smaller ET16 and ET24 models, which have been on the market for some years. With the three new machines, the range becomes significantly denser – and now also covers applications for which diesel excavators were previously the only option.
The positioning is clear: Wacker Neuson is targeting fleet operators who want or need to electrify their machine parks. In particular, municipal utilities and city suppliers are under pressure to improve their CO₂ balance. For these customers, a broad range of models from a single source is a clear advantage – because it simplifies procurement, training and maintenance.
Wacker Neuson has not yet released technical details on digging depth, range, charging infrastructure and price. The key will be how operating costs develop compared to diesel counterparts. Electric mini excavators are typically 30 to 40 percent more expensive to purchase than diesel models. However, there are no fuel costs, maintenance intervals are longer, and resale value could develop positively – depending on how quickly diesel driving bans come into force.
With the three new models, Wacker Neuson is expanding its offering in the micro and mini excavator segment for confined construction sites. Anyone looking for an electric excavator today will find one of the broadest ranges on the market from Wacker Neuson. This makes the Munich-based manufacturer attractive to fleet operators – and could cost other manufacturers market share.
