Elhyte launches battery for construction equipment at CES

During Media Days prior to CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the startup Elhyte unveiled the E-CUBE, an interchangeable and universal battery compatible with 2.5-ton mini-excavators. CEO Vincent Robin also announced the official launch of the company’s brand as well as the scheduled release in 2025 of the ELH25.1, the brand’s first compact mini-excavator.

Elhyte E-Cube battery. (Photo: Elhyte)

Elhyte was founded in March 2022 in Viriat, France, by Robin, founder CEO, and by Olivier Gonzalvez, associate and CEO of SGC Travaux Spéciaux in Sainte-Foy-l’Argentière. Elhyte specializes in electrification of construction equipment.

The company’s new E-Cube battery uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, which the company said enables a lifespan of up to 12,000 hours of use by different mini-excavators. At the end of that lifespan, the battery is capable of being reused as a stationary energy storage unit for applications such as solar power production.

The cubic configuration of the E-Cube optimizes available space, said Elhyte, and does not increase the weight of a retrofitted machine. The battery replaces the original internal combustion engine and counterweight, maintaining the balance, center of gravity and lifting performance of the mini-excavator, the company added.

“Equipped with a thermal management system to operate under extreme conditions from -4° F to +140° F, E-Cube battery self-regulates based on external temperature,” said Robin. Pre-conditioning of the battery is also possible to reach the optimal operating temperature as soon as the machine starts up.

The ELH25.1 will be Elhyte’s first compact mini-excavator equipped with the E-Cube battery. (Photo: Elhyte)

An integrated lifting device, consisting of a removable jib and an electric winch, enables a single-operator to exchange the E-Cube battery in less than 10 minutes.The battery is readily transportable and equipped with standard Type 2 connectors for automotive-style charging. With an adapter, it is possible to charge it directly from standard outlets, Elhyte stated.

The E-Cube battery will initially be retrofit into existing mini-excavators before being used in Elhyte-branded models. The first model, the ELH25.1, will be launched in 2025 as the result of a partnership with an established manufacturer.

The E-Cube joins the Mobilyte pack – interchangeable batteries for heavy equipment over 10 tons – which was officially presented at the Espace BTP French trade show in Lyon (FR) in July 2023. That same year, Elhyte showed the first fully electric retrofitted 25-ton excavator at the Dig Tour exhibition in Saint-Bonnet-de-Mure and at the Espace BTP/InnovDayTP trade show at the Lyon-Bron Hippodrome.

With its headquarters in Viriat and current production workshops in Mornant, France, Elhyte plans to establish its future production center in the Ain counties by the end of 2025.