Heavy equipment innovator Firstgreen made waves as the first construction OEM to unveil battery swap technology, showcased in its electric skid steer two years ago. Now, as the technology moves into production, the company claims it can keep a job site operational around the clock.
Formerly known as Kovaco Electric, Firstgreen caught our attention earlier this year with the introduction of the Elise CBL, touted as “the world’s first cabinless, remotely operated electric skid steer.” The Elise 900, a mechanical sibling to the CBL, appears more ready for real-world use, particularly with its battery swap feature.
The battery swap process is straightforward: one battery powers the Elise 900 while another is charging. When the working battery runs low, another Elise equipped with pallet forks removes the depleted battery and transports it to the charger. The operator then swaps the batteries, ensuring minimal downtime for the skid steer.
While the Firstgreen battery swap process may require more operator involvement compared to similar concepts from NIO or Moog Construction’s ZQuip, it offers immediate practicality for construction sites.
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With a sufficient number of spare batteries, contractors can maintain a quiet, emission-free work environment 24 hours a day.
“Battery power has come a long way,” noted Marcus Suess, Chief Operating Officer at Firstgreen, highlighting the benefits of the brand’s electric equipment, which is relatively noiseless and vibration-free, offering a potentially better fit for certain job sites compared to diesel-powered alternatives.
