JCB Electric Construction Equipment: A Guide to the E-TECH Range

JCB's E-TECH range is a growing line-up of electric construction equipment, covering the machine types found on most sites. From a 1-tonne micro excavator to an articulated boom with an 18.3m platform height, it now spans excavators, dumpers, telehandlers and access equipment. Every machine has zero emissions at the point of use, and where there's a diesel equivalent, it runs more quietly and needs less routine servicing.

This guide covers each E-TECH machine available through Scot JCB, with the charging times, working times and diesel comparisons you need to decide whether electric suits your work.

The JCB E-TECH Range at a Glance

The table below summarises each electric machine available through Scot JCB, with key figures, battery size and charging times so you can compare them quickly and easily.

Electric vs Diesel: How They Compare

Most E-TECH machines have a direct diesel equivalent. Here’s where the electric version matches its diesel counterpart, and where it differs. The scissor lifts and Powerpacks have no diesel equivalent, and the articulated booms are compared with their hybrid versions in the Access section.

Why Choose an Electric Construction Machine?

Electric machines open up work that diesel can’t easily do, and on many models the working figures are unchanged:

• Zero emissions at the point of use: no CO2, NOx or particulates on site, so machines can work indoors, underground and in air quality sensitive areas.

• Lower noise: the 403E wheel loader produces 85dB of external noise against 101dB for the diesel 403, making out-of-hours work and on-site communication easier.

• Less servicing: maintenance-free batteries, no engine oil or fuel filters and minimal daily checks.

• Less vibration: with no diesel engine, operators feel less vibration and less fatigue over a shift.

• Same core performance: the 19C-1E, HTD-5E and 525-60E match their diesel equivalents on key figures such as tearout, carry capacity and lift capacity.

Read on as we examine the different types of electric construction machines available through Scot JCB.

JCB Electric Micro & Mini Excavators

JCB’s two electric excavators cover the sub-2-tonne class, where tight access and indoor work are most common.

8008E CTS Micro Excavator

• Size: 1,006kg operating weight, 1.69m maximum dig depth and a 700mm retracted width.

• Working time: up to 4.5 hours of continuous use from a 9.9kWh lithium-ion battery, which JCB rates as more than a full day of typical work.

• Charging: 3 hours at 230V or 5.5 hours at 110V (20 to 80%) from the on-board charger.

• Against diesel: the same 1.69m dig depth and 9.3kN bucket tearout as the diesel 8008 CTS, while running 9dB quieter.

19C-1E Mini Excavator

• Size: 1,902 to 2,037kg operating weight and 2.82m maximum dig depth.

• Working time: a full day’s work on one charge from four lithium-ion batteries (19.8kWh).

• Charging: 2.5 hours at 415V (0 to 100%), 5 hours at 230V or 10.5 hours at 110V (20 to 80%).

• Against diesel: the same 18kN bucket tearout as the 19C-1, with operator noise down 10dB and external noise down 6dB

• Best for: work inside buildings, rear gardens, urban sites and out-of-hours jobs

JCB Electric Teletruks

The electric Teletruk keeps the side-mounted telescopic boom of the diesel range, so operators can reach into the second row of a load and unload a trailer from one side. A 2.2m cab height allows it to work inside containers and trailers.

• 30-19E: 3,000kg lift capacity, 1,900kg at 2m reach, 4.0m lift height.

• 30-22E: 3,000kg lift capacity, 2,200kg at 2m reach, 4.4m lift height.

• 35-22E: 3,500kg lift capacity, 2,200kg at 2m reach, 4.0m lift height.

• Working time: a full eight-hour shift on one charge, and the battery can be swapped in around 2 minutes for multi-shift operations.

• Against diesel: the 30-19E matches the diesel 30-19D on lift capacity (3,000kg) and capacity at 2m (1,900kg), with a tighter 2,550mm turning radius against 2,885mm

• Best for: logistics, van, truck and container loading, and round-the-clock work in noise-sensitive areas.

JCB Electric Dumpsters

For moving materials around tight sites, the HTD-5E brings electric power to JCB's tracked dumpster range, with a compact width that suits housebuilding, landscaping and indoor work.

HTD-5E Electric Dumpster

The HTD-5E was the industry’s first high-volume, fully electric tracked dumpster, and works as either a walk-behind or ride-on machine.

• Size: 500kg carry capacity, 1.45m load over height and a 706mm width that fits through a standard doorway.

• Working time: 3 to 4 hours of standard use, extending up to 8 hours with top-up charging through the day.

• Charging: 73 minutes (20 to 80%) from a 240V supply, with 110V, 240V and 3-pin plug cable options.

• Against diesel: the same carry capacity, load over height and width as the diesel HTD-5, with operator noise 14dB lower.

• Best for: housebuilding, landscaping and indoor or out-of-hours work.

Electric Site Dumpers

JCB's 1TE and 3TE bring electric power to its site dumper range, covering payloads from 1 to 3 tonnes for sites that would normally rely on diesel.

1TE Site Dumper

• Size: 1,000kg payload with a high-tip skip, for tipping straight into skips and containers.

• Working time: a full day’s shift from a 10kWh lithium-ion battery.

• Charging: 2 hours 35 minutes at 230V (20 to 80%), or 1 hour 40 minutes with a 415V fast charger (0 to 100%).

3TE Site Dumper

• Size: 3,000kg payload with a swivel-tip skip.

• Working time: enough battery capacity (20kWh) for a typical working day.

• Against diesel: Both machines deliver equal performance to their diesel counterparts, and the 3TE uses the same control layout as the 3T diesel.

• Best for: indoor projects, urban sites, enclosed spaces and night work.

JCB Electric Telehandlers

The 525-60E is JCB's electric telehandler, a battery-powered version of the Loadall for lifting and moving materials indoors and in noise-sensitive areas.

525-60E Electric Loadall

• Size: 2,500kg maximum lift capacity, 6.0m lift height and 2,000kg to full height.

• Working time: a full shift from a 24kWh lithium-ion battery.

• Charging: 8 hours from a standard 240V, 16A supply using the on-board charger, and fast charge ready.

• Against diesel: the same maximum lift capacity, lift height and transport dimensions as the diesel 525-60 Hi-Viz. Capacity at full reach is 720kg, against 800kg for the diesel

• Best for: indoor material handling, urban sites and noise sensitive environments.

Electric Wheeled Loading Shovels

The 403E is JCB's electric wheeled loading shovel, a compact loader built for enclosed, underground and noise-sensitive work where diesel emissions and noise are a problem.

403E Electric Wheel Loader

• Size: 2,729kg operating weight, 0.5m³ shovel and a payload of up to 898kg with extra counterweight and pallet forks.sWorking time: a full shift from a 20kWh lithium-ion battery.

• Charging: 8 hours at 230V (20 to 80%) from a household or CEE socket, or under 2 hours with a 415V fast charger (0 to 100%).

• Against diesel: the same breakout force (12.6 to 16kN), dump heights and 20kph top speed as the diesel 403. Operator noise drops from 86dB to 69dB

• Best for: noise sensitive areas, indoor and underground work, and other enclosed spaces.

Access: Electric Scissor Lifts and Articulated Booms

For work at height, JCB's electric access range covers five scissor lift models and two articulated boom sizes, with hybrid options on the booms.

Electric Scissor Lifts

There’s no diesel version of the JCB scissor lift range; all five models are fully electric, with non-marking tyres, a 0.9m extension deck, pothole protection and a power outlet in the basket.

Articulated Booms: Electric and Hybrid

• A45E / A45EH: 13.84m platform height, 7.47m horizontal reach and 300kg capacity.

• A60E / A60EH: 18.3m platform height, 11.9m horizontal reach and 300kg unrestricted or 454kg restricted capacity.

• Electric or hybrid: the fully electric models run on a 48V, 400Ah battery pack for zero-emission work indoors and out. The hybrid versions add a 14.8kW JCB Diesel by Kohler engine, giving the A45EH a standalone run time of up to a week for remote sites without mains power

• Best for: indoor and outdoor work at height, for contractors and rental fleets alike.

Electric Powerpacks

• JCB Electric Powerpacks supply zero emission power on site, and can be used to charge E-TECH machines such as the 1TE.

• Range: five models, 1.25QE to 3.100QE, with 23 to 104kWh of storage and 8 to 36kW continuous output at 230V or 400V.

• Running costs: no fluids, no filters and no routine service requirements.

• Flexibility: near silent running for 24-hour use, and hybrid capability for pairing with a generator

• Best for: indoor and underground work, noise sensitive sites and out-of-hours power.

Experience the Power of the JCB E-TECH Range

Scot JCB can arrange a demonstration of any machine in the E-TECH range, so you can see how it performs on your work before you commit. We also work with JCB Finance to put together finance options that suit your business.

Call 0141 556 6521, contact your local Scot JCB depot, or email enquiries@scot-jcb.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do JCB electric machines take to charge?

It depends on the machine and the power supply. The HTD-5E dumpster charges from 20 to 80% in 73 minutes, the 19C-1E fully charges in 2.5 hours at 415V, and the larger machines such as the 525-60E, 3TE and 403E charge overnight in around 8 hours at 230V or 240V.

Will an electric machine last a full working day?

Most E-TECH machines are designed to work a full shift on one charge. The 8008E CTS gives up to 4.5 hours of continuous use, which JCB rates as more than a full day of typical work, and the HTD-5E can extend its 3 to 4 hours of standard use to 8 hours with top-up charging.

Do I need a special power supply to charge them?

No. Most models have an on-board charger that plugs into a standard 110V or 230V supply, and several also accept 415V fast charging. On sites without mains power, a JCB Electric Powerpack can supply charging.

Are electric machines as capable as diesel?

On key working figures, yes. The 19C-1E matches the diesel 19C-1’s 18kN bucket tearout, the HTD-5E matches the HTD-5’s 500kg carry capacity, and the 525-60E matches the 525-60 Hi-Viz’s 2,500kg lift capacity and 6.0m lift height.

Can I try an electric machine before I buy?

Yes. Scot JCB can arrange a demonstration of E-TECH machines, and we work with JCB Finance on finance options. Call 0141 556 6521 or email enquiries@scot-jcb.co.uk.