How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Loader or Mini-Excavator?
If you’ve been looking into getting a tractor, loader, mini-excavator, or other earth-moving equipment for work around your property, you’ve probably seen electric machines popping up more and more. But one of the biggest questions many people ask is: How much does it actually cost to charge an electric loader or mini-excavator? And more importantly, is it cheaper than running diesel?
Let’s break it down in real numbers so you can see if making the switch is worth it.
Charging Costs: What You’ll Pay to Run an Electric Machine
How Much Power Does an Electric Loader or Mini-Excavator Use?
Most compact electric loaders and mini-excavators run on battery packs with capacities ranging from 10 kWh to 25 kWh, depending on the model. For example, the small NESHER L880 electric loader has a 9.6 kWh battery while the mid-sized NESHER L1400 electric loader has a 14.4 kWh battery.
To figure out charging costs, we need to look at:
1. Battery size (kWh)
2. Electricity cost per kWh (varies by state and utility provider)
3. Charging efficiency (not all energy gets stored in the battery—some is lost as heat)
Typical Charging Costs by Battery Size
The average commercial electricity rate in the U.S. is around $0.12 to $0.15 per kWh, though it can be higher or lower depending on your state. Here’s a rough estimate of what a full charge costs based on battery size:
A typical compact electric articulating loader or mini-excavator will run on a 10-30 kWh battery, meaning you’re looking at around $1-$5 per full charge. Compare that to diesel, and you start to see the savings add up.
Diesel vs. Electric: What’s the Fuel Cost Difference?
Now, let’s compare that to a similar diesel-powered machine. A compact diesel mini-excavator or articulating loader typically burns 1.5 to 2.5 gallons of diesel per hour, depending on load and efficiency.
With diesel prices ranging from $4.00 to $5.50 per gallon, the fuel cost per hour looks like this:
Compared to an electric machine that can likely run 4-6 hours per charge, the operational cost of fueling a diesel-powered machine is often around 5-10x more expensive than “fueling” an electric machine.
Other Cost Savings Beyond Fuel
Fuel savings are just the beginning. Electric machines also save money on maintenance:
Fewer moving parts = less to break
• No engine oil changes
• No diesel filters, belts, or injectors
• No exhaust systems or DEF (diesel exhaust fluid)
Lower overall maintenance costs
• Electric motors last longer than diesel engines
• No winterization requirements or costs
• No hydraulic issues from cold starts in winter
Most electric mini-excavators and electric loaders have 50-75% lower maintenance costs than their diesel counterparts.
As you can see, the cost savings from electric machines tend to add up quickly. So while they cost more to purchase at first, they save a lot of money in the long run, in addition to all of their other advantages!