Landscaper ditches diesel, runs electric equipment ENTIRELY on solar

Nothing makes the clueless anti-EV hysterics happier than the tired claim that electric vehicles “just move the emissions somewhere else,” but one landscaper is making those guys sound even dumber than usual by replacing his diesel excavator with an all-electric unit from JCB that runs entirely on solar.

UK landscaper Colin Ash has been operating Ash Landscaping out of Congleton, Cheshire in the UK for almost 30 years ago – but he’s looking forward, not backward with the purchase of a shiny new JCB electric micro excavator that he’s putting to work in gardens and driveways across the county, doing all the work with none of the noise or emissions.

We’re not just talking about tailpipe emissions, either. Ash is charging up the 9.6 kWh (usable capacity) batteries in his JCB 8008E CTS digger with the power of the sun.

“I’m a long-time electric vehicle driver and run my cars on solar energy generated from solar panels on the roof of the car port at my home,” explains Mr. Ash. “Adding the new JCB 8008E CTS was a perfect next step and I can plug it in next to the car and charge both overnight.”

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JCB 8008E CTS

The JCB 8008E electric micr digger shares a chassis, hydraulic system, and controls with its diesel-powered siblings, and delivers the same 9.3 kN bucket of tearout and 4.6 kN of dipper force capabilities as the ICE version. As before, it does all the work, but with remarkably low noise outputs – just 66 dB(A), which is sure to keep Mrs. Klancik’s terrier happy.

Those benefits aren’t just making Ash’s workday better, they’re generating fresh opportunities for his business to grow, as well. “On site there’s no fuel to manage, no risk of diesel spills, and far less risk assessment & method statement paperwork. Plus, the early starts in urban or residential areas are no problem now as there’s no engine noise,” explains Ask. “We’ve also added a battery storage system which we can charge economically on a low-cost rate in the early hours … I have plenty of power and easily get a full 8-hour day’s work. I’ve not run the battery flat once.”

Sounds like a pretty positive endorsement to me! Pricing and availability vary by region, check with your local JCB dealer for more.

SOURCES | IMAGES: JCB, via Construction Briefing, Specify.

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