At its Volvo Days customer event, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) showcased new electric wheel loaders and excavators, along with an off-grid charging station for construction sites. These new offerings expand Volvo CE’s electric product lineup, which already includes models like the EC230 Electric excavator and the corded EW240 Electric MH.
The new machines introduced at the event include Volvo’s first electric wheeled excavator, the EWR150 Electric, as well as the L90 Electric and L120 Electric wheel loaders. These new models will be gradually introduced in limited quantities in selected markets from the beginning of 2025. Additionally, Volvo CE is introducing the PU40 mobile energy storage system for compact equipment, enabling construction machines to be charged in remote locations without a power grid.
Carl Slotte, Head of Sales Region Europe at Volvo CE, highlighted the company’s progress in electromobility, stating, “Volvo Days demonstrates how far we have come on our electromobility journey, from our first commercial launch in 2019 through to the broad line-up of electric machines and charging solutions we present today, amplified by our range of smart digital tools.”
The L120 Electric wheel loader, the first of its kind with a lifting capacity of 6 tonnes, is suitable for various applications, including construction sites, ports, logistics centers, waste management, recycling, urban infrastructure maintenance, agriculture, and forestry. It can work for a full day on a single charge for around 5-9 hours, depending on the application and environment. Charging from 10 to 100 percent takes 1:40 hours with a 180 kW DC fast charger or the Volvo PU500 mobile charger, and 7 hours with a 40 kW DC portable charger suitable for overnight charging.
The L90 Electric wheel loader, weighing 15 tonnes, is an all-rounder suitable for a wide range of tasks, offering faster response and shorter cycle times than conventional models. It can operate for around 4-5 hours on most medium-duty jobs and a full working day on lighter jobs. Charging from 0 to 100 percent takes around 70 minutes using a 150 kW DC fast charger or a PU500 mobile power unit, with an on-board AC cable allowing a charging time of 6 to 7 hours for overnight charging.
The EWR150 Electric wheeled excavator, with the shortest tail swing in its class, is designed for use in city centers and confined spaces, offering energy-efficient operation and a lower total cost of ownership compared to converted electric options.
The PU40 mobile power unit, with a capacity of 40 kWh, is compact, portable (weighing 900 kg), and can charge compact Volvo electric machines as well as other electrical equipment on site, such as drills and saws. It can be charged via a low (6 kW AC) connection to the mains or fast-charged via a 17 kW DC charger.
Filip Brkljaca, Product Manager for Charging Solutions at Volvo CE, highlighted the PU40’s capabilities, stating, “Thanks to an integrated 17kW DC fast charger, the PU40 enables recharging of Volvo compact electric excavators in as little as an hour, or two hours in case of the Volvo compact electric wheel loaders. It’s even possible to fast charge the compact electric machines whilst simultaneously slow charging the Power Unit.”
These new electric machines and charging solutions demonstrate Volvo CE’s commitment to advancing electromobility in the construction industry, offering customers the opportunity to decarbonize their operations and embrace new business opportunities in a low-carbon future.
