Bobcat announces world’s first all-electric compact track loader

Doosan Bobcat has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s first compact track loader that is completely battery powered and provides three times greater torque than its diesel counterparts.

The innovative T7X compact track loader made its public debut at the CES 2022 event in Las Vegas earlier this month where it won two CES Innovation Awards in the categories of Vehicle Intelligence & Transportation and Smart Cities.

“The T7X platform is a technological feat for the construction industry and is covered by one of the largest and most important patent application filings in our company’s history and would be followed on with additional filings as we continue to expand this platform,” said Doosan Bobcat North America Vice President of Global Innovation, Joel Honeyman, at the official unveiling of the T7X at CES 2022.

“We really challenge the status quo. We wanted to deliver a totally new work machine that is engineered for power, performance and sustainability previously not even thought possible.  And we are so excited to share this advancement with the world.”

“Ultimately the T7X represents what Bobcat is most committed to. It’s designing equipment today for the construction site of tomorrow and pave the way for a sustainable future.”

The Bobcat T7X has an operating weight of 5.5 tonnes and operating capacity of around 1.3 tonnes.

At the heart of the machine is a 62kW lithium-ion battery that Bobcat said can provide four hours of continuous operation of common daily tasks, at full charge.

Instead of a hydraulic system to transfer power like conventional machines, the Bobcat T7X uses an electrical drive system consisting of electric motors and ball screw actuators. The electrical drive system works seamlessly with the battery to generate power and torque that is three times greater than traditional loaders, Bobcat claimed.

The company added the T7X is built with about half the parts and components required for a conventional diesel-powered loader, hence reducing ownership and maintenance costs.  

Where the conventional track loader requires about 227-litres of fluid to run properly, the T7X requires less than one-litre of coolant to function, according to Bobcat.

As the T7X runs on electric, it produces no emissions as well as noise and vibration, providing a much more pleasant experience for the operator overall, Bobcat said.

In addition, the company is also working on developing the world’s first all-electric attachments to be used with the T7X, which includes an electrically powered auger, grapple and angle broom.

See Bobcat’s website for more info on the new T7X electric compact track loader.

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