Honda Electric expands into OEM power equipment
At this year's World of Concrete event in Las Vegas, Honda unveiled its first battery-powered electric motor. The Honda eGX 72V Brushless Motor is designed for integration into OEM power equipment products for indoor and outdoor use. The company now offers a complete line of general purpose engines for industrial, commercial, rental industry and consumer applications.
Honda eGX is compatible with Honda GX engines
Honda specifically gave the eGX brushless motor the same cubic footprint as its Honda GX engine. They also make sure that the propshaft position is aligned. Since the Honda eGX has the same driveshaft locations as the Honda GX engines, manufacturers can replace them without any major modifications, converting gas-powered equipment to battery-powered equipment.
What's the big deal?
Because Honda designed the eGX brushless motor as an OEM product, other manufacturers can easily enter the battery-powered market without investing the capital and engineering required to develop and design their own motors.
Initially, Honda eGX motors found some use in construction equipment such as rammers, power trowels and vibratory plate compactors. Future applications will include hydraulic power units and compressors. Honda has also started testing it in some other commercial applications.
Two versions of the Honda eGX brushless motor
Honda also told us that while they designed the motor for OEM applications, they also designed the eGX to meet the needs of power equipment owners and equipment operators. The eGX will fit into any existing GX100 and GX120 application, providing reliable battery power that rivals the power output of its gasoline-powered counterparts. However, in this case, you get less vibration and noise. And, as you'd expect, there's no mess or fuss with fuel, oil, or AC power.
Honda produces two versions of the eGX, a single-speed model and a three-speed model. Both use the same 72V lithium-ion battery and 2kW class brushless motor. The single speed Honda GXE 2.0H runs at 3600 RPM and has an integrated electric motor.
The GXE 2.0S is equipped with a split 2kW brushless motor supporting three speeds of 300, 3300 and 3600 RPM.
Honda designed the three-phase brushless motor for maximum performance. They have borrowed some of the research and development that made their range of generators so successful and incorporated effective insulation and coil technology to increase efficiency. It runs between 3,000 and 3,600 RPM and has internal and external fans for cooling. The power drive unit of the motor adopts silicone seals and condensers, which are dustproof, waterproof and shockproof.
Honda eGX 2.0H vs. 2.0S vs. GX100
| GXE 2.0H | GXE 2.0S | GX100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 72V Li-ion 10 Ah (748 Wh) |
72V Li-ion 10 Ah (748 Wh) |
NA (gas) |
| engine | 2kW class brushless fusion | 2kW class brushless separate | Air-cooled four-stroke OHC |
| speed | 3600 rpm | 3000/3300/3600 rpm | 3600 rpm |
| engine equivalent | 100–120cc (2.4HP) | 100–120cc (2.4HP) | 100cc (2.8HP) |
| torque (net) | 3.5 ft lbs (3.6kRPM) | 3.5 ft lbs (3.6kRPM) | 4.8 ft lbs (3.6kRPM) |
Both the Honda eGX brushless motor and the 72V 10Ah battery pack are sealed. This protects all internal components from dust and water. Electric motors give you the opportunity to work longer while minimizing the downtime and need for repairs that come with gas engines. With reduced noise and no emissions, the eGX can easily transition to indoor use.
Honda designed the eGX electric motor and battery for extended runtime. Battery swaps are quick, and the Honda fast charger can restore a depleted battery to 80 percent in just 55 minutes. We did note that the recommended charging temperature drops to a more indoor-friendly 41 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 30 degrees Celsius).
Honda eGX Fun Facts
- Designed for use in commercial OEM power equipment products for indoor and outdoor use.
- Offers quiet operation, reduced vibration and fast charging for maximum operating time. High-power three-phase brushless DC motor improves performance and reliability.
- The sealed motor and battery pack are protected from dust and water, making the unit suitable for harsh, heavy-duty environments.
- The Honda eGX aims to reduce its carbon footprint, in line with Honda's Vision 2030.
- The motor has a three-year commercial warranty; the lithium-ion battery pack has a two-year commercial warranty.
- Available to OEMs in late summer 2021.
Today's environment is shifting supply and demand towards zero emission products. But reducing greenhouse gas emissions from operations is only part of the equation: battery-operated power products must meet the rugged performance standards owners demand, while making the equipment easier for operators to use. With this new, advanced electrified powerplant, Honda is supporting OEMs in the commercial market in their efforts to meet increasingly stringent regulatory standards, while developing more battery-powered products, enhancing service offerings, [and] collaborating and engaging with customers and supplier partnerships.
William Walton, vice president of power equipment, Honda
Honda eGX 72V Brushless Motor Specifications
- Type: Brushless DC Motor
- Cooling system: forced air cooling
- Direction of rotation: counterclockwise from the PTO shaft side
- Net power output: 2.4 HP @ 3,600 rpm
- Net torque: 3.5 ft-lbs. (4.8 n٠m) @ 3,600 rpm
- Motor RPM: 3,600 (integrated), 3000/3300/3600 (separate: user adjustable)
- Controller type: three-phase square wave
- Controller maximum output: 80A
- Control system: PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
- Brake Type: Regenerative
- Voltage: 72V
- Operating Temperature: 5º to 104º F (-15º to 40º C)
- Weight: 55.1 lbs. (integrated without SW box), 48.9 lbs. (separation + control unit)
- Battery type: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Battery weight: 14.1 lbs.
- Dimensions: 9.2 x 10.6 x 5.9 inches
- Maximum battery capacity: 748Wh
- Charging Temperature: 41º to 86º F (5º to 30º C)
- Warranty: 3 years
- Available to OEMs from Summer 2021