ELLECT

ELLECT is a South Korean startup founded in February 2023 by CEO Inkyu Choi that specializes in the electrification of construction machinery. The company develops and manufactures integrated software and modular hardware solutions to convert conventional diesel-powered excavators into electric or hybrid-electric machines. Choi's extensive background as an engineer in the electric field systems for both automobiles and excavators, including over a decade at Volvo Construction Machinery Korea, provided the foundational experience for the venture. He identified a market need for cost-effective, retrofittable electric solutions for construction equipment while working in domestic sales for Volvo.

The company's main product is the 'ECO Cube,' a plug-and-play electrification module that can be installed on existing diesel excavators, transforming them into dual-power hybrid systems. This allows machinery to operate on an electric motor, drastically reducing carbon emissions and cutting fuel costs by up to 90%, while retaining the original diesel engine for backup or in situations without electrical access. This approach addresses the high cost and limited operating hours of newly built electric excavators by offering a more flexible and economically efficient conversion. The modular design simplifies the conversion process, cutting it down from a month to about a week. ELLECT's solutions are designed to be compatible with equipment from various manufacturers, enhancing their market applicability.

Since its inception, ELLECT has secured seed funding from investors including Busan United Holdings, Magna Investment, and The Invention Lab. The company has also been selected for several support programs, such as the TIPS R&D project. ELLECT sells its solutions through partnerships with local construction equipment manufacturers and dealers, with an eye on expanding into Asian and European markets. The firm is also developing remote control and autonomous operation technologies to improve safety and address labor shortages in the construction industry.

Keywords: construction machinery electrification, excavator conversion, electric excavator module, hybrid construction equipment, diesel-to-electric retrofit, ECO Cube, sustainable construction, Inkyu Choi, construction technology, cleantech, heavy equipment electrification, carbon reduction, fuel cost reduction, modular electrification, construction robotics, autonomous excavators, South Korean startup, equipment manufacturing