Volvo CE starts EC500 Electric pre-build testing in Norway

Volvo EC500 Electric in testing on site (Photo: Volvo CE)

The machine is currently being put to work across a range of demanding customer applications, including quarrying, road building and tunnel projects.

The 50-tonne class is equipped with both battery and grid-connected capability, including a 35m cable reel, and is designed to deliver the same performance as the conventional EC500.

“Customer input is central to the development of the EC500 Electric,” said Volvo CE which sees the testing as an important milestone in the development of its electric excavator offering and believes the feedback from Norway will be “invaluable”.

Equipped with a cable reel, the EC500 Electric excavator can operate while connected to the grid, supported by its onboard battery system.

Battery capacity enables 2 to 3 hours of working, depending on application and operating conditions, while also supporting intelligent grid energy management.

The intelligent electric system is designed to adapt to various grid conditions on a 400V base, helping customers manage the practical realities of site power availability, according to Volvo CE.

Combined with intelligent grid energy management, the battery system can also support peak shaving and adapt to varying grid conditions, reducing the need for high-capacity grid infrastructure, helping customers lower investment costs and increase the feasibility of electric power, while maintaining the performance required from a 50-tonne class machine.

By testing the machine in live working environments, Volvo CE will be able to gather detailed feedback on machine behaviour, performance, charging and grid connection, operator experience and practical site integration.

The purpose of the testing programme is to gather direct customer input into the final stages of development, with insights from the customer testing programme in Norway feeding directly into the final development of the product, ensuring the machine is refined in line with real job site requirements.

The EC500 is expected to be for sale from Spring 2027 with serial delivery from the end of the year.