In a move towards promoting standardization and ease of adoption for electric construction machines, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced the publication of its brand-independent software protocol and connector specifications for 48-volt DC chargers. This initiative allows other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers to utilize Volvo’s charging technology while developing their own charging solutions for compact electric construction equipment.
The absence of an industry-wide standard for 48-volt DC charging solutions has resulted in customers needing to acquire multiple chargers from different manufacturers, each offering their own proprietary systems, when operating a fleet comprising various brands. Volvo CE aims to address this challenge by sharing its charging interface specifications and encouraging other manufacturers to align their products with Volvo’s software and charging plug form factor.
Volvo CE currently integrates 48-volt DC charging technology into its existing model lineup, which includes the ECR18 Electric, EC18 Electric, and ECR25 Electric compact excavators, as well as the L20 Electric and L25 Electric skid steer loaders, and DD25 Electric asphalt compactor.
Fredrik Tjernström, Electromobility Solutions Sales at Volvo CE, expressed the company’s commitment to fostering a standardized, reliable, and efficient electric ecosystem that simplifies the transition to electric machinery for customers. Tjernström stated, “By making our charging interface public, we hope that we will see more and more charging solution providers and other machine OEMs using one and the same charging protocol – moving us a step closer to an industry standard for the benefit of customers everywhere.”
To facilitate inquiries and engagement, Volvo CE has established a dedicated email address for questions specifically related to the 48-volt DC charging protocol. The contact details can be found on the company’s official website.
It is worth noting that heavier electric machines typically require 600-volt charging technology, for which the automotive industry has already developed an industry standard protocol. However, Volvo CE’s recent announcement primarily focuses on standardizing the charging solutions for compact electric construction equipment operating on 48-volt DC systems. By encouraging collaboration and shared protocols, Volvo CE seeks to advance the widespread adoption of electric machinery and contribute to the development of a more sustainable construction industry.
