Electric excavators make Italian debut in Trieste
Trialling electric excavators
Trieste’s historic Porto Vecchio, a 66-hectare site near the city centre, is undergoing major redevelopment as part of a public-private partnership. The project aims to breathe new life into the area, turning the old port into a vibrant urban space. At the heart of this transformation, general construction company Adriacos is trialling Hitachi’s new range of fully electric excavators for the first time in Italy.
The construction site focuses on redeveloping the Viale Monumentale, a one-kilometre stretch running through Porto Vecchio. Adriacos has been using Hitachi electric excavators to carry out utility work under normal site conditions, including challenges like Trieste’s well-known Bora winds.
Powered by Hitachi
Adriacos is utilising the full range of Hitachi electric machinery – the ZX55U-6EB, ZX85-6EB, and ZE135, alongside a 422 kWh containerised battery pack and a charging system, specifically developed for the needs of the construction site.
The ZX55U-6EB features a 39.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, providing approximately two hours of continuous operation. It can also be powered directly via a cable connected to the electric network, enabling operation for an entire working day.
The ZX85-6EB is equipped with a much larger battery, offering a capacity of 100 kWh. In the top-range version, it reaches 133 kWh, delivering up to five hours of operation, depending on the application.
The ZE135 has been developed in collaboration with Kenki Technology Group (KTEG) – a joint venture between Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd and Kiesel Technology GmbH, specialists in technological innovation.
The ZE135 machine is equipped with a 200 kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing four hours of operation before recharging. A full recharge takes just 90 minutes using the fast charger version. Like the ZX85-6EB, the ZE135 supports both AC and DC charging.
Modernising its fleet
The Latisana-based company has been working to reduce its environmental impact by modernising its fleet with Stage V engines and electric vehicles.
“Respect for the environment is a priority for us,” says Logistics and Fleet Manager Andrea Gallici. “Trialling Hitachi’s electric excavators is a natural step in our ongoing effort to innovate and minimise our environmental footprint.”
Support from Hitachi Construction Machinery
Salomoni, the Hitachi dealer in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, has played a key role in bringing the electric range to Italy.
“We’ve always focused on offering new technological solutions and products to our customers,” says owner Marco Salomoni. “This project allows us to test electric machines in real-world conditions and ensure they meet the demands of the modern construction industry.”
Present for the beginning of the trial in Italy was Norihiko Kinugawa, Product Manager at Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV. “With these new electric excavators, we are taking another significant step towards zero emissions,” he explained.
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