Hitachi's Plug-In Excavator Runs 24/7 With Zero Emissions

Construction sites in cities and neighborhoods are about to get a whole lot quieter and cleaner.

Hitachi Construction Machinery just unveiled the ZX135-7EB, a 13-ton electric excavator that matches the power of traditional diesel machines without the noise, fumes, or downtime. The company will showcase the new machine at CONEXPO 2026 in Las Vegas next month, the construction industry's biggest trade show.

The real breakthrough isn't just the 198 kWh battery. It's the flexibility.

When the battery runs low, crews can simply plug the excavator into a three-phase grid connection and keep working. No waiting for recharges. No swapping batteries. No stopping the job.

That dual-mode design makes the ZX135-7EB perfect for urban projects where noise ordinances and emission limits often force construction to halt during certain hours. Now those restrictions matter less because the machine operates silently with zero local emissions.

The performance matches or beats Hitachi's diesel ZX135-7 model, proving that electric power doesn't mean compromising on the muscle needed for serious construction work. Operators get the same digging force and lifting capacity they're used to, just without the roar of a diesel engine.

The announcement comes as Japan's Itochu Corporation increases its stake in Hitachi Construction Machinery from 20.4% to 33.4%, signaling serious investment in expanding electric construction equipment across North America. The partnership will accelerate sales, rental options, and financing to get more electric machines onto job sites.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about one company making one machine. It's about fundamentally changing how construction happens in communities.

Quieter equipment means residential projects can start earlier and run later without disturbing neighbors. Cleaner operation means workers breathe healthier air all day. Lower fuel costs mean more budget for better wages or finishing projects under budget.

When grid power backs up battery power, construction companies get the reliability they need without the environmental compromise they've had to accept for decades. The math simply works better: more productive hours, lower operating costs, and healthier job sites.

Other manufacturers are watching. As electric excavators prove they can handle real-world demands without sacrificing uptime, the industry will follow where the numbers lead.

The future of construction doesn't need to sound like the past.