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World’s first industrial electric excavator has a 300 kWh battery pack that triples Tesla’s P100D

The prototype electric excavator prototype modified by Pon Equipment. | Credit: Ole Henrik/Tek.no

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Pon Equipment based in Gjelleråsen, Norway has converted an industrial diesel-powered excavator to operate on batteries alone, the first of its kind. According to the company’s CEO, Erik Sollerud, the machine uses a 300 kWh battery pack that’s three times the capacity of Tesla’s 100 kWh battery that’s found in its flagship Model S and Model X vehicle. After an eight month development process, the first of eight excavators is ready for delivery to Norway’s largest construction company, Veidekke. As a company motivated by the impact of emissions on the environment, Pon Equipment is helping pave the way for an era of emissions-free construction equipment around the world.

The base model used for the electric conversion is the Cat® 323 Hydraulic Excavator, a 28-ton machine built by American construction and mining equipment manufacturer Caterpillar. As perhaps can be expected, swapping the original 1 ton C7.1 ACERT industrial engine for 3.4 tons of batteries came with several challenges. The team at Pan first had to find batteries that could withstand the rigors of construction work, ultimately opting for the types used in boats and submarines. The torque was also problematic and had to be scaled back to behave more like a diesel. In an electric car, high torque gives rapid acceleration, but in an excavator, it will wear out the hydraulics and other systems from the stress.

A full charge on the Caterpillar 323F Z-line (zero emission) – Pan’s revised name for the modified machine – will keep it running for 5-7 hours. For reference, a 63 amp charger will give one hour of work per one hour of charging, and another option available is to keep the machine connected to power during the entirety of operation, all details provided by Sollerud as reported by Ole Henrik Johansen of Norwegian tech website Tek.no. The machine includes a built-in 400V charger.

Also, a feature of the excavator’s electric power source is the noise or rather lack of it. During operation, only a low hum and hydraulic pump actions are heard from the 323F Z-line itself, and a swapped out fuel gauge for a battery monitor is the only obvious difference inside the machine’s cabin. While the carbon emissions are negated with the removal of the diesel engine, it appears a reduction in noise pollution is a happy bonus. Each machine is estimated to cost about $650,000.

Caterpillar was supportive of Pon’s modification project, working with the company throughout the process – the industrial equipment manufacturer reportedly has an interest in developing a line of electrically powered machines. Pon has also made it clear that their goal was never to replace the Cat® 323, just create a carbon-neutral option. In a press conference on Monday, Sollerud explained, “We do not want to invent a new excavator. Cat® 323F is one of the world’s best excavators. We only want it in an emissions-free version, with the same performance as the diesel-powered.” Until Caterpillar and companies like it finalize and release its battery-powered fleet into the market, Pon Equipment will hold the title of the first and only producer of clean energy construction excavators.

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Watch the below video to see the electric excavator in action:

Accidental computer geek, fascinated by most history and the multiplanetary future on its way. Quite keen on the democratization of space. | It's pronounced day-sha, but I answer to almost any variation thereof.

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Tesla Cybertruck slapped with world’s least intimidating ticket, and it’s pure cringe

One cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of these babies.

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Credit: Ryan Torres/X

A Cybertruck parked at Stanford Shopping Center in California was recently hit with what might be the most try-hard piece of paper ever slipped under a wiper blade: a “fake citation” accusing the driver of supporting a “fascist car.” 

The note, shared on X by Tesla staff program manager Ryan Torres, quickly made the rounds on X, where it quickly gained attention as an example of how not to protest.

The world’s least intimidating ticket

According to the citation, the supposed “violation” was “driving a fascist car.” The remedial action? Take the bus, call an Uber, or ride a bike. The note also dubbed Elon Musk a “chainsaw-wielding Nazi billionaire.” Now, protests against Tesla and Elon Musk have become commonplace this year, but one cannot help but cringe and feel second-hand embarrassment at the idea of a person just driving around with a stack of fake anti-Tesla/Musk citations.

Torres pointed out the irony himself in his post on X. Tesla currently employs over 140,000 Americans, and SpaceX has put the U.S. firmly back at the top of space technology. As Torres put it, maybe the person behind the world’s least intimidating ticket should “read a book on innovation before vandalizing” other people’s property.

Peak performative clownery

Not to mention that the fake ticket’s logic collapses under its own weight. EVs like the Cybertruck are literally designed to reduce emissions, not “destroy the economy.” If anything, Tesla has bolstered the United States’ economy by fueling jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and clean energy. It’s not the first time a Tesla has been the target of vandalism or politically charged notes, but this one stands out for sheer cringe value. 

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Torres summed it up neatly: “Peak clownery.” On that point, at least, the citation earns full marks. In a way, though, perhaps cringe fake tickets are not as bad as the literal firebombs that were being thrown at Tesla stores and cars earlier this year because some critics were gleefully misinformed about Elon Musk.

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Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update

Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.

The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.

Tesla Model Y’s ambient lighting design changes revealed in leaked video

With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:

To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”

Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.

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Elon Musk

xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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