Liebherr has unveiled its first battery electric crawler excavator, the R 920 G8-E, marking a significant expansion of its electrification efforts into mid-sized construction machinery.
Designed and built in Colmar, France, the 20-ton machine delivers performance on par with its diesel counterparts while producing no local emissions and operating at low noise levels, making it suitable for urban and underground worksites.
“The new model completes the product range of Liebherr crawler excavators produced in Colmar,” the company said in its announcement. “It is particularly quiet and emission-free. It generates the same output as a diesel machine in the same category and is particularly suitable for building sites that require low noise levels and avoiding exhaust gas emissions, such as in cities or underground operating locations.”
The R 920 G8-E also debuts Liebherr’s new INTUSI (INTuitive USer Interface) control system, which integrates machine learning and intelligent logic to create a highly adaptable operating environment.
Features such as haptic and optical feedback, functional safety enhancements, hand detection sensors, and a mini-joystick for display navigation aim to improve operational efficiency and reduce operator fatigue.
Customers can choose between two lithium-ion battery options — 188 kWh or 282 kWh — with the capability for 150 kW DC fast charging, enabling quick energy top-ups during shift changes.