Staffordshire-based JCB (www.jcb.com) has made manufacturing history by going into full production with the construction industry’s first fully electric mini-excavator — with more than 50 machines so far delivered.

The JCB 19C-1E is now coming off the assembly line at JCB Compact Products in Cheadle, and orders are being received from customers in Europe and North America.

The machine is five-times quieter than its diesel counterpart, and its battery can be fully charged in under 2hr.

The new model is expected to be popular with companies working inside buildings or in inner-city locations that are sensitive to emissions and noise.

Fully charged, it can put in a typical full day’s shift, comparable with a diesel-powered 1.9-tonne mini-excavator.

JCB says that charging the 19C-1E will be 50% cheaper than buying red diesel for the equivalent diesel model, while servicing costs are expected to be up to 70% lower.

JCB Compact Products’ managing director, Robert Winter, said: “This is a historic moment for JCB and for JCB Compact Products.

"We are delighted to go into full production with the industry’s first fully electric mini-excavator. The machine has a very promising future ahead of it.”