The Komatsu PC200-8 Hybrid is a hydraulic excavator manufactured by Komatsu Limited. It is the world's first hybrid (electro-hydraulic) powered construction equipment. [1] At the time of its launch it was found to consume 25% less fuel than comparable non-hybrid excavators and up to 40% less fuel while carrying out certain functions. [2]
It was released on 1 June 2008. It has been made available in Japan, China [3] and North America. [4]
The Komatsu PC200-8 Hybrid uses the Komatsu Hybrid System. The system uses an ultracapacitor bank to store energy generated by the swing movement of the upper structure of the excavator. [5] An electric slewing motor/generator produces electrical power (as a generator) when braking the upper structure, and stores the current in the ultracapacitor bank. The excavator then utilizes electricity discharged from the ultracapacitor bank to power a motor to assist the engine and feed the motor/generator for swing acceleration.
At the time of its release, recorded fuel consumption was found to be reduced by as much as 41% when compared to comparable non-hybrid machines. [6] Construction Equipment magazine compared the HB215LC-1 hybrid excavator with a conventional model. [7]