Hyundai unveils hybrid excavator

Hyundai used the Conex Korea exhibition in Seoul to unveil a 22 tonne hybrid excavator prototype that it plans to put into full produciton in 2011. The company also plans to add heavier models in subsequent years.

According to senior vice president and cheif sales officer, Kwon Young Hae, the new machine is the result of a three-year development programme. It features an electrical system alongside a traditional diesel engine that captures energy from the braking of slewing movements and movements of the boom, and stores this energy. The use of this energy to run machine functions can cut the excavatr's fuel consumption by -25%.

"We will start to sell the hybrid from next year. We will start with the local market, and then look at advanced markets like the US and Europe," said Mr Kwon.

Mr Kwon said that the company's next hybrid is likely to be a 29 tonne excavator, with other models to follow.