Case’s first all-electric mini excavator debuts

Electric equipment has been a big talking point of late, with several manufacturers showing off their electric options at ConExpo-Con/Agg earlier this year and even more following suit.

One company diving into electric equipment is Case Construction Equipment. Case’s first all-electric mini excavator in North America – the CX15EV – recently debuted at an Illinois contractor.

The CX15EV mini excavator is the first model available in Case’s new EV lineup, with the CX25EV mini excavator and an electrified small articulated loader scheduled to launch in 2024.

Jim Brinkman, owner of Brinkman Plumbing Contractors in Quincy, Illinois, got his CX15EV from Luby Equipment, his longtime Case dealer. Brinkman’s family business does a lot of plumbing excavation, and its team of 30 employees often needs to work in challenging indoor environments like factories, restaurants and other commercial buildings, according to Case.

Brinkman reached out to Luby Equipment for recommendations on an emissions-free machine that could operate safely in any indoor environment and fit through a 36-in. doorway. The CX15EV was the right fit.

Terry Dolan, vice president of North America at Case, is optimistic about the future of electric construction equipment.

“While EV is synonymous with big cities and municipal needs, the reality is we sold our first EV to a contractor from Quincy, Illinois, a town of 40,000 people,” Dolan says.

“Jim sees the business opportunity for EV in his fleet, and he’s exactly the type of contractor we innovate for,” Dolan says. “With our EV models, we’ve taken the same approach as we have with every other Case machine since 1842 – listen to contractors’ needs and create solutions that help them get work done easier and more profitably than ever before.”

Case says its compact, 1.5 metric-ton mini excavator gives contractors a powerful machine for working in indoor and outdoor environments where a minimal footprint is required. The CX15EV fits through almost any entryway and offers the same working performance as a diesel machine – all while delivering the benefits of electrified construction equipment: zero on-site emissions, minimized noise and less maintenance, according to the company.

Those advantages were important to Brinkman.

“Luby Equipment knew we needed a solution that would fit through a 36-in. doorway and recommended the CX15EV,” Brinkman says. “I think we were more excited about this little machine than we’ve been with any other piece of equipment. This excavator is going to make us more competitive and will save us a lot of headache, time and backache on indoor jobs.”

The CX15EV is compatible with many attachments – including various buckets, augers and hydraulic hammers – making it a versatile tool for getting more work done efficiently, Case says. And, with no diesel engine, contractors like Brinkman can reduce downtime and improve productivity with simplified daily checks and maintenance.

“I’m happy and proud to say that Jim was the first one to get one of these,” says Rob Kuhn, a sales representative at Luby Equipment. “I couldn’t think of a better customer to put it in the hands of. He’ll grow his business with all the interior work he’s going to be able to accomplish with this machine.”

Brinkman was surprised to learn he was the first customer in North America to receive one.

“To be able to say we got the first one in North America, to have an all-battery machine – that’s pretty awesome for a little company like ours to have that,” Brinkman says. “This machine comes with a lot of advantages. It’s safer for our guys and it’s more productive. It’s a win all the way.”

Related: Case to debut new equipment at Utility Expo