The Royal Automobile Club has presented JCB with the Dewar Trophy for ‘Outstanding Technical Achievement in the British Automotive Industry’ for its 19C-1E — the first fully electric mini-digger for the construction industry.

The presentation — at the RAC Club in Pall Mall — was made just weeks after the new digger began rolling off the production line at JCB Compact Products in Cheadle.

JCB (www.jcb.com) is one of only four companies in the 113-year history of the Dewar Trophy to win it more than once, having received the accolade in 2006 for its record-breaking Dieselmax car, powered by two JCB engines.

Company chairman Lord Bamford said: “I’m absolutely delighted that JCB has been presented with the Dewar Trophy. For our new electric mini-excavator to be recognised in this way is tremendous for the company and the team that has developed it.”

John Wood, chairman of the Dewar technical committee, said: “Awarding the 2019 trophy to JCB was a unanimous decision; it represents a bold commitment to the introduction of novel technology in the off-road sector.”

Now in full production, the 19C-1E is five-times quieter than its diesel counterpart, and it can be fully charged in under 2hr to work a typical full day’s shift.

It is expected to be ‘a big hit’ with companies working inside buildings and in inner-city areas sensitive to emissions and noise.