North West firm first to buy emissions-free JCB electric mini-diggers
Electricity North West says it is the first company in the North West to buy state-of-the-art JCB electric mini-diggers.
Following a successful trial period, the region’s power network operator has bought two of the fully-electric models which boast zero exhaust emissions.
The electric models are the first to go into full production in the construction industry.
Electricity North West will use the diggers to install underground power cables and has made a commitment to phase out diesel mini-diggers to reduce its carbon footprint as part of its Leading the North West to zero carbon plan which it launched this March.
The plan sets out how Electricity North West is investing £63.5m over the next four years to drive down its own carbon emissions and help businesses and customers to do the same.
Steve Cox, engineering and technical director at Electricity North West, said: “In March we launched our Leading the North West to zero carbon plan, which demonstrates our commitment to be one of the businesses driving the region’s transition to a carbon-neutral future.
“We’re looking closely at our own operations and how we can decarbonise them.
“Collectively, small changes can make big impacts and this shows what can be done now to reduce carbon without having a negative impact on customer service, performance or cost.”
Five times quieter than its diesel counterpart, the new machines can be fully charged in two hours, making the diggers ideal for Electricity North West engineers, who work 24-hours a day to maintain the network.
The Warrington-based business, which manages more than 44,000 kilometres of underground electricity cables in the North West, trialed the electric mini-diggers for a six month period prior to the purchase.
Having arrived earlier this month the diggers are already being used across various sites in the North West.
“The diggers are excellent machines. Our team find them more powerful than diesel diggers and another major positive is the reduced noise levels,” added Cox.
“Power cuts can happen at any time of the day and night and sometimes we’re required to dig up roads and footpaths to repair faults. Using the new electric diggers means we can work into the night without impacting our customers.”
Steve Cox
As well as lower emissions, the 19C-1E model is more cost-effective, with JCB research revealing over the first five years, charging costs will be 50% cheaper compared with using red diesel.
Servicing costs are also expected to be up to 70% lower compared with the diesel model.
The machines will be charged at Electricity North West depots using electricity generated from renewable sources.
JCB chief innovation officer, Tim Burnhope, said: “We are delighted to go into full production with the industry’s first fully electric mini-excavator. The machine has a very promising future ahead of it.
“I’m delighted to see Electricity North West lead the way by purchasing two of the electric machines. It reaffirms Electricity North West’s commitment to being at the forefront of transitioning to a zero carbon future.”
