Volvo Penta-powered electric paver quietly works in the Netherlands

The Volvo Penta-powered electric paver reduces noise and produces zero direct exhaust emissions, making it suited for use in urban environments. (Photo: Volvo Penta)

More than half of all daily journeys in Groningen, the Netherlands, are made by bicycle, making cycle paths a vital part of the Dutch city’s transport network. Building and maintaining those routes involves demanding paving work, but battery-electric equipment can make the work quieter and more comfortable for operators and other workers on site, while reducing noise for people in the surrounding area.

For Albert Santing, an asphalt contractor with 28 years of experience, that makes a noticeable difference over a long working day. That’s why he chose Ammann’s eABG 4820 battery-electric asphalt paver, powered by a Volvo Penta electric driveline, to lay a new cycle path in Groningen.

“We work 10 hours a day and with this machine, we don’t go home with a pounding headache from the noise,” said Santing. “You can hear everything around you.”

With less engine noise, he can also more clearly hear trucks and rollers moving around the site. The absence of diesel exhaust fumes from the paver is another welcome benefit.

At the end of the shift, Santing was pleased with both the finished cycle path and how he felt after a day’s work.

“I just ended my shift, but I feel like I just started,” he commented. “I have no ringing ears, no heavy head. The road not only looks great, but I also feel great.”

Electric power at its heart

The eABG 4820 with Variomatic screed has a maximum paving width of 6.5 meters and a laying capacity of up to 500 tonnes of asphalt per hour. At the heart of the machine is Volvo Penta’s electric driveline, comprised of batteries, electric motors, power electronics and control technology. Ammann has integrated three lithium ion battery units with a combined capacity of 270 kWh and a system voltage of 600 V.

Volvo Penta’s electric driveline powers Ammann’s eABG 4820 battery-electric asphalt paver. (Photo: Volvo Penta)

Battery-electric operation is combined with the precise control and steady movement needed for consistent asphalt paving. Electric motors deliver torque immediately, giving operators a direct response when they adjust the controls.

“It’s very responsive indeed,” said Santing. “It does not build up any rpms. You move the stick, the machine obeys. It’s just like a giant sports car, only at a snail’s pace.”

Developing an electric paver required more than swapping a diesel engine for batteries and motors. Energy has to be managed across multiple functions, including the hydraulics and screed.

“It comes down to energy management and architecture,” said Philipp Bramer, head of Ammann’s e-paver development team. “The electric driveline doesn’t just power the machine. It communicates seamlessly with the hydraulics. The intelligent control system makes sure that the system supplies exactly the right amount of energy to the machine.”

The battery technology used in the electric driveline is based on proven Volvo Group systems that have been extensively tested and used in both off-highway and on-highway applications. The solution used on the eABG 4820 is said to allow for a full shift of operation.

“The transition to more sustainable power is about giving our customers solutions that make sense for their applications,” said Judith Karl, director of Service Market Central Europe, Volvo Penta. “In urban construction, electric power has clear benefits, from quieter operation to zero direct exhaust emissions. This project with Ammann is a good example of how we can apply proven Volvo Group technology to meet those needs.”