Volvo CE’s electric excavator and wheeled loader coming to the US

The electric-powered models run on lithium-ion batteries

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced that the ECR25 electric excavator and L25 electric wheeled loader will be commercially available in the US this year.

The electric-powered models, which are already available in selected markets, run on lithium-ion batteries and can be charged using a 220/240-volt electrical socket, the type of outlet many larger home appliances use.

In January 2019 Volvo CE revealed that it would begin to launch a range of electric compact excavators (EC15 to EC27) and wheeled loaders (L20 to L28) and stop new diesel engine-based development of these models.

In an interview with International Construction magazine Melker Jernberg, CEO of Volvo CE, said, “We have a big responsibility with the footprint we have and the opportunity we have to be more sustainable. That is a big driving force for Volvo CE in general and transforming as a company. One part of this is, of course, electrified machines.”

Regarding performance, Volvo CE has said that the ECR25 Electric excavator and L25 Electric wheeled loader have nearly identical specifications to their diesel equivalents. The models are being used in a pilot scheme in California, US, by Baltic Sands Inc., a company that specialises in environmentally sensitive, luxury property development and real estate. 

“My opinion is that they perform equally to diesel machines in terms of the productivity. It has surprised me,” said Jacques Marais, Director, Baltic Sands. “They also support our ideology of being eco-friendly and responsible. We like to think that we are ahead of the evolutionary step in this direction.”

“This is a great opportunity to see electric excavators and wheel loaders in real-world applications,” says Ben Benoit, from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which has put US$2 million toward the pilot project.

“It’s also an opportunity to further develop the charging systems. These are all important pieces to that puzzle to help figure out how to deploy this technology.”

The results of the pilot project will be released later this year.

STAY CONNECTED



Receive the information you need when you need it through our world-leading magazines, newsletters and daily briefings.

Sign up

POWER SOURCING GUIDE

The trusted reference and buyer’s guide for 83 years

The original “desktop search engine,” guiding nearly 10,000 users in more than 90 countries it is the primary reference for specifications and details on all the components that go into engine systems.

Visit Now

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Becky Schultz Vice President of Content Tel: +1 480 408 9774 E-mail: [email protected]
Julian Buckley Editor Tel: +44 (0) 1892 784088 E-mail: [email protected]
Chad Elmore Managing Editor E-mail: [email protected]
Josh Kunz Power Progress Brand Manager Tel: +1 414 379 2672 E-mail: [email protected]
Roberta Prandi Power Progress International Brand Manager Tel: +39 334 6538183 E-mail: [email protected]
CONNECT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA