A Closer Look: Kubota’s First Electric Mini Excavator, the KX038-4e

Kubota has jumped into the electric construction equipment market with the introduction of its first electric mini excavator, KX038-4e.
Weighing in at 8,532 pounds, this model is both quiet and emission-free while delivering similar performance to its diesel equivalent.
The KX038-4e was recently showcased at the CES in Las Vegas, and Equipment World got a closer look from Kubota Senior Program Manager Rusty Harrington. To learn more, check out our video above.
“What’s exciting about this is we can do indoor or low-noise applications and still get the same functionality. The hydraulics work exactly the same, whether it's electric or diesel,” says Harrington. Both configurations are compatible with the same attachments, from buckets to augers.
The electric version has an eco-mode that adjusts the motor speed and includes other energy-saving features to ensure up to four hours of continuous operation. This makes it possible to perform a day's worth of construction work without needing to recharge the battery in the middle of the day, according to Kubota.
The KX038-4e also offers 2D and 3D machine control for faster and more accurate excavation. “This technology is now being made available on smaller machines. Combined with autonomy, these machines can now perform tasks that were only once available for larger, more expensive machines using skilled operators,” the company says.
Kubota first introduced the KX038-4e electric mini excavator onto the European market in the spring of 2024. Kubota’s electric tractors, excavators, and zero-turn mowers will be introduced to the North American market in the future. Additional models are also in development.
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