It is the world's first hybrid (electro-hydraulic) powered construction equipment.
The system uses an ultracapacitor bank to store energy generated by the swing movement of the upper structure of the excavator.
[5] An electric slewing motor/generator produces electrical power (as a generator) when braking the upper structure, and stores the current in the ultracapacitor bank.
The excavator then utilizes electricity discharged from the ultracapacitor bank to power a motor to assist the engine and feed the motor/generator for swing acceleration.
[6] Construction Equipment magazine compared the HB215LC-1 hybrid excavator with a conventional model.