North America’s First CASE Electric Mini Excavator Quietly Gets to Work in Illinois

As the CASE CX15EV mini excavator backed up off the flatbed trailer, history was made – the delivery of CASE Construction Equipment's first all-electric mini excavator in North America, marking a new chapter of CASE practical innovation. The CX15EV mini excavator is the first model available from the new CASE EV lineup, with the CX25EV mini excavator and electrified small articulated loader launching in 2024.

Jim Brinkman, owner of Brinkman Plumbing Contractors in Quincy, Illinois, took possession of his machine from his longtime CASE dealer, Luby Equipment. Brinkman’s family business does a lot of plumbing excavation, and their team of 30 employees often needs to work in challenging indoor environments like factories, restaurants and other commercial buildings. Brinkman asked Luby Equipment for recommendations on an emissions-free machine that could operate safely in any indoor environment and fit through a 36-inch doorway. The CASE CX15EV electric mini excavator was the right fit.

“Electrified construction equipment has a bright future everywhere. While EV is synonymous with big cities and municipal needs, the reality is we sold our first EV to a contractor from Quincy, Illinois, a town of 40,000 people. Jim sees the business opportunity for EV in his fleet and he’s exactly the type of contractor we innovate for,” says Terry Dolan, vice president, North America, CASE Construction Equipment. “With our EV models, we’ve taken the same approach as we have with every other CASE machine since 1842 – listen to contractors’ needs and create solutions that help them get work done easier and more profitably than ever before.”

The compact, 1.5 metric-ton CX15EV gives contractors a powerful machine for working in indoor and outdoor environments where a minimal footprint is required. The new mini excavator fits through almost any entryway and offers the same working performance as a diesel machine – all while delivering the benefits of electrified construction equipment: zero on-site emissions, minimized noise and less maintenance.

Those advantages were important to Brinkman. “Luby Equipment knew we needed a solution that would fit through a 36-inch doorway and recommended the CASE CX15EV. I think we were more excited about this little machine than we’ve been with any other piece of equipment,” Brinkman says. “This excavator is going to make us more competitive and will save us a lot of headache, time and backache on indoor jobs.”

The CX15EV mini excavator is easy to transport and can operate in a wide range of environments, thanks to its extremely quiet, emissions-free operation. It’s also compatible with numerous attachments – including various buckets, augers and hydraulic hammers – making it an extremely versatile tool for getting more work done efficiently. And, with no diesel engine, contractors like Jim Brinkman can reduce downtime and improve productivity with simplified daily checks and maintenance.

“I’m happy and proud to say that Jim was the first one to get one of these,” says Rob Kuhn, sales representative, Luby Equipment. “I couldn’t think of a better customer to put it in the hands of. He’ll grow his business with all the interior work he’s going to be able to accomplish with this machine.”

When the CASE CX15EV mini excavator arrived at Brinkman’s shop and Kuhn unloaded the machine from the trailer, Brinkman was surprised to learn he was the first customer in North America to receive one.

“To be able to say we got the first one in North America, to have an all-battery machine – that’s pretty awesome for a little company like ours to have that,” says Brinkman. “This machine comes with a lot of advantages. It’s safer for our guys and it’s more productive. It’s a win all the way.”

CASE and CASE CONSTRUCTION are trademarks owned or licensed by CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.