VIDEO: Check out Yanmar’s new electric mini excavator prototype

Yanmar Compact Equipment’s new electric mini excavator prototype, the SV17e

Yanmar Compact Equipment has debuted its first mini excavator protoype, the SV17e, which represents a step toward electrification in the construction industry.

“Our aim, together with our dealer partners, is to build stronger relationships and create even greater customer value,” said Yanmar Compact Equipment CEO Giuliano Parodi. “Our transformation will embrace our entire business and will encompass new products with alternative fuel technologies. The SV17e prototype is a clear demonstration of our intent to build a sustainable business for our customers and dealer partners.”

Powered by efficient electric drive and 48-volt batteries with fast charging capability, the SV17e is a quiet, zero-emission machine designed to meet the most demanding emissions restrictions.

Yanmar Compact Equipment said it’s committed to creating an exceptional customer experience, and the company said the appeal of the SV17e goes beyond simply being an electric prototype: The design and engineering team set out to build a machine which offers the highest levels of comfort, ergonomics and operational power, precision and control.

“Our prototype is significant because it demonstrates our capability to bring the quality and reliability of our highly respected conventional engine technology into the arena of electrification,” explained Cedric Durand, director of product management at EMEA. “But we have gone further. As always, the operator is at the heart of this machine, and we have challenged ourselves to deliver the comfort, power, control and precision, which we believe will surpass the expectations of professional operators.”

In preparation for its sales start at Bauma 2022, the prototype SV17e is currently undergoing Yanmar’s vigorous product testing regimen. According to Yanmar, these tough field tests are uncompromising in their thoroughness to ensure an uncompromising level of durability and reliability in the design and engineering.

The SV17e’s sales start will be at Bauma 2022

“We are very pleased with the performance to date – as you would expect, we have a rigorous testing regimen which pushes every aspect of the machine to its limit,” said Sota Takami, director of engineering at EMEA. “The machine has performed very well in all these tests. We are particularly pleased with the power, and control of the machine. Of course, this is a quiet, zero emission machine but that, in itself, is not enough.

“We must create a great feeling for the operator,” Takami said. “I am confident that professional operators will be very comfortable in this machine, they will certainly feel the power, control and the precision handling they will need to take on the big jobs as well as the small jobs.”

For those who cannot wait until Bauma 2022 to see the new SV17e in action, Yanmar Compact Equipment has prepared a short teaser film that will emphasize the power, control and precision of the new model.