Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) has announced the commencement of operations of its EC230 Electric excavator at a stud farm project in the Poissy region of Paris, in collaboration with Bouygues Travaux Publics RĂ©gions France.
The deployment of the EC230 Electric marks a significant milestone as the first electric excavator of its kind to be utilized in France. Designed to provide a low-noise, zero-exhaust emission solution, the excavator is tasked with trenching and platform refinement during the initial phase of large-scale earthworks at the construction site.
The project, a joint effort between Volvo CE and long-time partner Bouygues TP, underscores a commitment to fostering sustainable practices within the construction industry, with the aim of driving decarbonization initiatives across France.
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Mustapha Nouayti, Project Manager at Bouygues TP, emphasized the role of electrification as a key strategy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “The EC230 Electric was a natural choice for us, as it offers comparable performance to conventional models while operating emissions-free,” stated Nouayti.
Both Volvo CE and Bouygues TP have articulated ambitious climate targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Volvo CE aims to achieve net zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, while Bouygues TP is committed to reducing emissions across various scopes by 2030.
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Elodie Guyot, Head of Electromobility Solutions, Sales Region Europe at Volvo CE, highlighted the importance of collaborating with partners who share a vision for decarbonization. “Working with clients like Bouygues TP, who align with our ambitions, is crucial in advancing towards decarbonized construction sites,” stated Guyot.
The stud farm project, situated on the outskirts of Paris, provides an ideal testing ground for the EC230 Electric. Operators have praised the machine’s reliability, comfort, and responsiveness, with the added benefit of simplified charging procedures.
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Operator David Bouloy attested to the machine’s performance, stating, “The EC230 Electric has proved to be reliable, comfortable, and more responsive, surpassing expectations compared to combustion engine counterparts.”
The flexibility to utilize both AC “slow” charging and DC fast charging via a local EV charging network has further facilitated seamless integration of the EC230 Electric into daily operations, with minimal disruption to workflow.
With the EC230 Electric now operational, Volvo CE and Bouygues TP remain steadfast in their commitment to driving sustainable practices and advancing the transition to electrified construction equipment.
