Avant Tecno’s New Battery Technology, Loaders
Published: 24/7
Having your own development and manufacturing facilities for batteries for your construction machinery is rare. It is mainly the large manufacturers that have this capability. Now Finnish company Avant Tecno has also joined the club and have also released two new models.
In mid-March, PDa’s editor-in-chief had the opportunity to join European trade journalists for a visit to Avant Tecno’s headquarters and manufacturing facility in in Finland. The day began with a welcome from Avant Tecno CEO Jani Käkälä, who talked about the company founded in 1991 by his father, Risto, and how the business has expanded to three large factory complexes with a total production area of 656,600 ft2 (61,000m2). Käkälä also discussed Avant Tecno’s investment in all-electric machines. As a forerunner in electric drive technology, the company continually performs intensive development work to for the machines themselves, as well as full in-house control of the development and manufacture of the batteries. The production centre has the potential to quickly double production, with that being something that Käkelä believes will happen in the near future.
Jani also described three scenarios for how battery-powered machines will become integrated in construction industry fleets, ranging from a conservative 30% to as much as 80%. This changeover will naturally place great demands on manufacturers. Avant Tecno believes that it is one of the manufacturers of construction machinery that is at the forefront of this development, investing in developing and producing its own batteries. Avant Tecno’s team has developed a completely new and unique battery technology called ‘Avant OptiTemp’, which manufactured in-house by Avant Power Oy.
A new generation of battery powered loaders
Avant Tecno also introduced two battery powered developments. According to Jukka Kytömäki, the company’s head of sales and marketing, and previously CEO of USA operations, Avant Tecno is now launching the next generation of all electric loader models—the Avant e513 and Avant e527. These products will renew the Avant ‘e-series’ and replace their predecessor models, the Avant e5 and e6.
Production of the models started in January 2024 of the nearly identical loaders, with the only difference being the capacity of the batteries, which feature Avant OptiTemp battery packs. Developed exclusively by Avant Tecno’s expert team, the unique battery technology has an energy density believed to be amongst the best in the world. The heat management system of the patented lithium-ion batteries ensures the same capacity in hot and extremely cold temperatures, while multi-level protection makes Avant OptiTemp batteries very safe.
The Avant e513 (13kWh) is a good choice for short term continuous use in agricultural, do-it-yourself DIY, and leisure activities, while the Avant e527 (27kWh) with a larger battery is better suited for demanding professional use by construction and demolition contractors. Both models are ideal for working in tight spaces on construction sites that have strict limits on noise and emissions. The machines feature separate electric motors for driving hydraulics, and for additional hydraulics, boom and steering. Thanks to the electric motor, maximum torque is immediately applied, which ensures excellent traction. An improved cooling system in the engine package keeps the machine’s heat under control even on soft terrain.
Kytömäki noted that the Avant e527 was particularly developed for demolition, and is well-suited for interior and renovation demolition. Fully charged in the morning, the Avant e527 can be used for an entire working day, regardless of temperature. The maximum operating time of the machine is about six hours for medium work, while for the Avant e513 it is about three hours. With a 50% increase in maximum charging current, the battery in both loaders can be fully charged with a quick charger in less than one and a half hours, enabling long working days. Avant Tecno also has more than 190 different tools and several of these are intended for demolition work.
“For several years, the market has longed for all electric loaders that would be more like diesel loaders in terms of functionality,” Käkelä noted. “Until now, uptime and pricing have been key issues related to electric loaders, but with Avant’s new e-series, we solve both.”
Representatives from two Finnish demolition contractors, Sakari Haapaniemi of Tampereen Porausteam Oy and Ari Kara of Pohjanmaan Erikoispurku Oy, were on hand to share their experiences with Avant’s battery-powered machines, especially and how they improve operational efficiency while making themselves more environmentally friendly. With the environmental problems the world is facing, investing in battery powered machinery like Avant should be a matter of course.