Volvo CE Electric Excavator & Wheel Loader Deliver Solid Performance With Zero Emissions, Pilot Program Shows

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Volvo says it’s the first manufacturer to commercialize fully electric excavators and wheel loaders on the heavier side of the compact size range. (Photo courtesy of Volvo.)

Volvo Construction Equipment recently announced the results of a pilot project that tested its zero-emission, battery-electric compact excavator and compact wheel loader in the California desert. The company’s lithium-ion powered, 3-ton (2.7-metric-ton) ECR25 Electric excavator and 5.5-t (5-mt) L25 Electric loader worked for four organizations including the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for nearly a year.

“The California pilot project supports what we’ve seen on jobsites in Europe and elsewhere: Our battery-electric compact excavator and compact wheel loader are viable alternatives to diesel equipment for construction fleets that want to reduce their carbon footprints,” says Volvo CE President Melker Jernberg.

The 20-kilowatt-hour ECR25 Electric excavator has a maximum digging depth of 9.1 feet (2.8 meters), while the 39-kWh L25 Electric loader has a 1.2-cubic-yard (0.9-cubic-meter) bucket capacity. Volvo expects to commence customer deliveries of the electric excavator in January 2022 and to make both machines available throughout North America in the early part of the year.

Fume-Free & Low Noise

The pilot program compared the ECR25 Electric excavator’s digging depth and breakout force and the L25 Electric wheel loader’s tipping load and dump height to their diesel counterparts. “Over the three months we tested, these machines performed exceptionally—matching what we would expect from a diesel machine of equal size but with no emissions,” says off-grid developer Baltic Sands Inc. Director Jacques Marais.

The two Volvos’ electric operation allowed them to work inside buildings as they reduced worksite carbon dioxide emissions by 6.6 t (6 mt). So did their 9-decibel (dBA)-lower noise level, representing a 90% decrease in sound power compared with diesel units. The quieter machines were able to operate in sound-sensitive areas, and they allowed workers to communicate more easily.

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Participants in the ECR25 and L25 Electrics’ pilot program included the California Department of Transportation, demolition specialist the Casper Company, off-grid developer Baltic Sands Inc., and waste disposal and recycling company Waste Management. (Photo courtesy of Volvo.)

Lower Operating & Maintenance Costs

Finally, by recharging with 240-volt AC grid power, fast-charging, mobile power units, and even solar power, the ECR25 and L25 Electrics saved approximately $2,400 in fuel. Volvo is working to extend the ECR25’s four-hour and L25’s eight-hour indicative runtimes, and is collaborating with Beam Global to make a solar fast charger unit. The battery-powered Volvos also needed no diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), oil, diesel particulate filters (DPF), or oil filters.

The pilot program was funded by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant administered by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).

Take A Test Drive

Volvo is offering test drives of the ECR25 and L25 Electrics at The Utility Expo being held September 28 to 30 in Louisville, Kentucky. The company is also expected to show a new asphalt compactor concept with a hybrid engine and automation features.

“Our customer’s response to these machines validates that there is not only a desire for these types of machines in North America but a pull in many markets,” says Volvo CE President of Region North America Stephen Roy.

Find The Right Volvo

MachineryTrader.com’s new website design makes it easier than ever to locate new and used Volvo mini excavators including ECR25-series models, along with Volvo wheel loaders for sale including models in the L25 series.

Source: Volvo