Heavy machinery developer Caterpillar left a strong impression with its innovative electric machines and energy solutions at the CES 2024 in Las Vegas on January 9.
According to the press release, the company’s e-machines and BESS signify its efforts to match the rapidly growing needs of its customers amid the global shift to sustainable and green technology.
“We are thrilled to return to CES to showcase our advancements in energy solutions. This event is renowned as the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators, making it the ideal place for us to demonstrate our leadership in power systems and integrated service solutions, which help our customers in the energy transition.”
Rod Shurman, Caterpillar’s Electrification + Energy Solutions Division Senior VP
Advanced energy management systems
Caterpillar brought numerous on-site generators at the special event, showcasing the units’ capability to generate electric power with any mix of diesel, natural gas, or renewable energy sources.
Remarkably, it also introduced its own battery energy storage system (BESS) to store all that energy. According to the company, its BESS can support fast plug-and-play installation and activation.
Caterpillar currently provides its customers with a wide range of charging port options to ensure compatibility with nearly all EV models. It can reportedly enable a charge of approximately 20 minutes to 40 minutes.
Cat 301.9 mini e-excavator
Apart from the on-site generators and BESS, Caterpillar also exhibited its electric drive mini excavator.
The Cat 301.9 mini e-excavator features a jackhammer to show its current fleet buyers that the iconic equipment accessories of the brand will still function even with electric technology. However, it must be noted that it does not entirely function in electricity.
To be specific, it features an electric motor to power its wheels and other accessories. It also has a 48-volt onboard battery pack that enables 32 kWh total capacity, delivering 3 hours of nonstop runtime.
However, it still utilizes traditional hydraulic oils to control its arm. It may be a disadvantage during cold weather due to the lack of heat-inducing components.
“The electric motors don’t make as much heat as the diesel. So, it can take a long time to warm up the hydraulics. These are still really new. The first two or three I drove were converted diesel units. This is one of the first ones that was built electric from the start.”
Greg, one of the Caterpillar SMEs on the ground at CES2024
Cat R1700 XE LHD underground loader
More interestingly, Caterpillar also displayed its enormous Cat R1700 XE LHD underground loader at CES 2024.
The unit impressed attendees with its astounding 16.5-ton payload and more than 11 mph top speed. It also boasts an onboard battery that can support less than 20 minutes of charging time using Cat MEC500 chargers.
It is apparently the first version of Cat battery packs that promise to power future electric equipment models and factory-integrated telematics.
With all that said, it is unsurprising that Caterpillar attracted the attention of CES 2024 attendees last week. Its equipment and BESS emerge as a potential “game-changer” in power systems and integrated service solutions.
