FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Komatsu says it will launch the PC05E-1 electric micro excavator, jointly developed with Honda, in the Japanese market in October. In the domestic construction equipment market, where the electrification market has not yet been developed, Komatsu plans to quickly create a market to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by introducing a variety of models.
The machine is an expanded version of the PC01E-1 electric micro excavator, which was introduced to the domestic market in March 2022. The current “PC05-1” micro excavator, which is widely used for small civil engineering and construction work as well as gas, electric and plumbing sites, has been electrified by installing the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: or electric power unit (eGX) as a power source, like the “PC01E-1”. Komatsu aims to achieve electrification by FY2023.
Komatsu has set FY2023 as the first year for introducing electrified construction equipment to the market, and the release of the “PC05E-1” electric micro excavator is the third phase of this plan.
Source: Komatsu News Release
PSR Analysis: As Komatsu noted in its official press release, the market for electric construction equipment has not been developed in Japan. However, Komatsu intends to lead development of the market by introducing a model ahead of competitors.
The sales target is 50 units per year in Japan, most of which will probably be sold to rental companies, but this is a realistic goal. One of the features of this model is the use of Honda’s replaceable battery pack. This battery pack has already been developed by Honda for electric motorcycles, and although it has a small capacity, it has excellent portability, and its adoption should have had the advantage of reducing development costs. PSR
Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia, for Power Systems Research
