Volvo CE shares results from electric excavator tests

Volvo CE says the EC230 Electric excavator is cutting emissions and costs

Construction giant Skanska used the EC230 Electric excavator to load trucks of export material from an underground tunnel as part of a transit line renovation in Los Angeles, US.

The machine successfully reduced hourly carbon emissions by 66% and hourly costs by 74% over the 90-day test.

“The cost savings are just as important because if these solutions don’t make financial sense in addition to the emissions reduction, adoption will lag,” said Dr. Ray Gallant, Vice President, Sustainability and Productivity Services, Volvo CE.

In another 90-day pilot in California, US, this time collaborating with Sunbelt Rentals, the electric excavator delivered an 80% carbon reduction rate and 83% cost savings in comparison to its diesel equivalent.

“This project demonstrated that, even though production of the machine has a higher carbon footprint in comparison to its diesel equivalent, the fuel savings and carbon reduction offset that in just over 800 hours of use,” added Gallant.

On a jobsite in Stockholm, Sweden, the EC230 Electric contributed to the reduction of 1,808 tons of carbon emissions; approximately what 180 Swedish people produce in one year. Electric equipment accounted for 23% of the site’s carbon reduction, while 46% was made possible by the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil for fuel. The rest was accomplished by reducing transport and reusing materials.

Electric construction equipment

During a press event at ACT Expo, Gallant spoke about the three steps needed to transform a market with a new innovation. He said that the first is proving its performance, like the recent EC230 Electric pilot tests and the years of results from Volvo CE compact electric machines.

The second step is to ensure the support infrastructure is in place. To demonstrate progress on that, Volvo CE announced two new partnerships on charging products. These were with Portable Electric for a Level 2 portable charging unit for compact equipment and Utility Innovation Group (UIG) for high-power DC portable charging.

The third step, according to Gallant, is to learn and develop applications where battery-electric machines are a better fit than internal combustion units thanks to their unique features.

“The most prominent benefits of electric machines are the elimination of emissions and the significant reduction in noise and vibration,” he said. “We are seeing this equipment do well in a wide variety of applications where these benefits are really appreciated. Early adopters have brought us many unique opportunities and solutions.”