Staffordshire-based JCB’s electric mini excavator is in the running for one of the UK’s most prestigious engineering prizes.

The 19C-1E went into full production last year and is the world’s first volume-produced electric mini excavator. It has been shortlisted for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s MacRobert Award - the UK’s longest-running engineering prize.

Tim Burnhope, JCB chief innovation and growth officer, said: “To be nominated for the UK’s most prestigious engineering award is a tremendous honour for the JCB electric team, who have excelled and risen to the challenge of introducing a brand new technology to our business.”

“The team at JCB has put sustainable engineering on the construction map with the 19C-1E. Their electric digger is hugely impressive and it’s an extremely important engineering innovation. JCB has demonstrated to the construction sector that it is possible to develop powerful machinery that is also emission free at the point of use. We expect their example will spur further innovation in the industry.”

MacRobert Award judge Naomi Climer said: “The JCB 19C-1E has been selected as a finalist for the MacRobert Award alongside the all-electric I-PACE sports utility vehicle from Jaguar Land Rover and ecoSMRT liquid natural gas reliquification technology from Babcock’s LGE business.”

Founded in 1969, the MacRobert Award is overseen by and is the UK’s longest-running engineering prize. It endorses engineering achievements that demonstrate outstanding innovation, tangible societal benefit and proven commercial success.

The JCB 19C-1E digger produces no exhaust emissions and the hundreds of models sold around the world so far are already responsible for saving the equivalent of more than 15,000kg in CO₂ emissions across more than 5,000hr of work.