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Here are a couple of recent announcements shared by Volvo regarding fresh eco-friendly offerings showcased at the latest Volvo Days 2024 event.
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is introducing a novel solution to provide off-grid power for compact electric machines and various electrical devices on construction sites. The Volvo PU40, a portable power unit with a capacity of 40kWh, will soon be accessible in Europe.
Addressing the challenge of access to charging facilities is crucial in facilitating the shift towards electromobility. The Volvo PU40 Power Unit is compact, portable, user-friendly, and can efficiently charge Volvo compact electric machines and other electrical devices on-site, including non-Volvo brands of compact electric machinery, drills, and saws.
The PU40 can be recharged through a low (6kW AC) grid connection, helping to mitigate peak demand expenses. Moreover, rapid charging via a 17kW DC charger is an option. Volvo compact electric machines can undergo fast charging utilizing the integrated 17kW DC charger or a 3kW AC outlet. The AC outlet also supports charging non-Volvo compact electric machines and other electrical devices.
According to Filip Brkljaca, Product Manager Charging Solutions at Volvo CE, “With an integrated 17kW DC fast charger, the PU40 enables swift recharging of Volvo compact electric excavators in just an hour, or two hours for the Volvo compact electric wheel loaders. Simultaneously, it’s feasible to fast charge the compact electric machines while concurrently slow charging the Power Unit. This allows customers to recharge their machines quickly in a cost-effective manner, ensuring maximum productivity on-site. Additionally, the capability to charge other electrical equipment with the PU40 is an added advantage.”
An overview showcasing the charging process of the PU40 and electric equipment:
Weighing approximately 900kg and measuring 1200 x 900 x 900 mm, the Volvo PU40 Power Unit is ideally suited for both mobile and stationary applications. Its compact size and light weight facilitate easy movement around the site to reach the machinery’s location. Transportation is made convenient, for instance, by utilizing pallet forks with the Volvo L20 Electric and L25 Electric machines.
The Volvo PU40 Power Unit is currently accessible in Europe through Volvo CE and authorized retailers.
Comprehensive electromobility solutions
The Volvo PU40 stands as the latest addition to Volvo CE’s charging solutions designed for its expanding array of electric machines, showcasing a firm dedication to offering complete solutions to customers. This initiative follows the launch of the Volvo PU500 power unit back in January, featuring a capacity of around 330-400kWh. Further solutions are in development.
Electric machines constitute a crucial aspect in the journey towards establishing fossil-free construction sites. Another key element is reliable charging solutions. The Power Unit forms the next stage in Volvo CE’s endeavor to decarbonize the construction sector, aiding customers in meeting environmental regulations while ensuring a reliable and effective power supply to facilitate their project completion.
Last year, Volvo CE also introduced the guidelines for its 48 voltage DC power supply to simplify adoption by others and foster an industry-wide common protocol to eliminate the need for different chargers for a diverse fleet of brands.
Furthering its commitment towards a more sustainable construction sector, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has introduced three new electric machines to complement its extensive range of zero emission solutions.
The L120 Electric wheel loader, L90 Electric wheel loader, and EWR150 Electric wheeled excavator represent the latest innovative additions to the market, supporting customers in their fossil-free objectives.
Introduced for the first time at Volvo Days 2024, these machines provide a cleaner, smarter alternative for customers seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, lower operational costs, explore new business opportunities, and enjoy a more comfortable working environment.
Medium-scale Innovations
These electric solutions, weighing between 15-20 tons, expand Volvo CE’s offerings into new sectors, enabling customers to operate in low carbon zones and noise-sensitive areas. Furthermore, they enable indoor operations without the need for additional ventilation systems and outside standard working hours, owing to their lack of exhaust emissions and quieter operation.
Additionally, these machines deliver an average energy cost reduction of 65%, require 30% less maintenance, and eliminate engine-related consumables, making them a cost-effective solution for contemporary worksites. They also match or exceed the performance levels of their diesel counterparts. With reduced noise, vibrations, and heat, operators report improved working conditions, reduced fatigue, and enhanced communication ease.
Elodie Guyot, Head of electromobility sales for region Europe at VCE, remarked, “Our commitment to creating a better world hinges on driving sustainable transformations across various equipment types and size classes. Having already deployed dependable electric solutions across our compact line-up and a growing portion of our mid-size range, we are excited to further our commitment with three medium-sized zero-emission innovations, covering new categories and sizes, all benefiting from our industry-leading, high-performance electric technology.”
High-capacity and Extended Operation with L120 Electric wheel loader
Leading the charge with a 6-ton lifting capability, the 20-ton L120 Electric wheel loader is a valuable ally across diverse applications, ranging from construction sites and ports to logistics centers, waste management, and recycling.maintenance of urban infrastructure and cultivation and forestry.
For most tasks that fall within the light and moderate duty spectrum, the L120 Electric has the capacity to operate for a full day lasting approximately 5-9 hours on a single charge, depending on the particular utilization and surrounding conditions. When it necessitates a recharge, it can swiftly power up from 10-100% within one hour and 40 minutes utilizing a 180 kW DC fast charger or Volvo’s PU500 mobile power unit, and in 7 hours using a 40 kW DC portable charger, which is ideal for overnight replenishment.
The rollout of the L120 Electric is scheduled to commence in specific markets across Europe, Region International, India, Asia, Latin America, and North America starting from Q4, 2024.
Flexibility and operator satisfaction with L90 Electric wheel loader
Manifesting as the first electric wheel loader in its category, the 15-ton L90 Electric is a multifaceted solution suitable for a broad array of tasks. These encompass industrial material handling, forestry, agriculture, landscaping, quarrying, mining, as well as waste and recycling activities.
Similar to the L120 Electric, this model incorporates distinct electric motors assigned for propulsion and hydraulics, enabling the full power potential to be channeled to both systems. Additionally, it boasts a swifter response time and shorter cycle durations compared to traditional models. A key contributor to the L90 Electric’s performance is its bespoke transmission developed by Volvo specifically for the electric platform, resulting in optimal energy efficiency.
Operators can seamlessly navigate through functions and configurations via an intuitive interface that integrates the Volvo Co-Pilot and rearview camera if fitted.
The L90 Electric can persist for roughly 4-5 hours during operations in most moderate duty scenarios and an entire workday for more lightweight tasks. Sharing a similarity with its larger counterpart, the electric drive motor of the L90 Electric recuperates energy by acting as generators while decelerating, ensuring an extended runtime and increased brake longevity.
Charging it from 0 to 100% takes approximately 70 minutes with a 150 kW DC fast charger or PU500 mobile power unit, while its AC on-board cable facilitates charging in 6-7 hours for overnight convenience.
The L90 Electric is projected to be accessible in select European markets by 2025.
Expansion into a fresh category with EWR150 Electric wheeled excavator
Volvo CE is broadening its assortment of electric machines with the introduction of the first electric short tail wheeled excavator, the 15-ton EWR150 Electric. Featuring the shortest tail swing within its class, it serves as a compact solution tailored for inner-city operations and constrained spaces. This versatile machine is bolstered by a variety of attachments and designed to accommodate diverse applications spanning construction, roadwork, utility installations, and landscaping. With its wheeled configuration, it can swiftly relocate or shift to the next job site, transporting any necessary tools on a trailer to save time and transportation expenses.
While alternative manufacturers offer converted electric alternatives for this type of machine, the EWR150 Electric originates from the factory, rendering it a significantly more energy-efficient solution when juxtaposed with its rivals and resulting in a decreased total cost of ownership. The cutting-edge batteries are equipped with a thermo-management system designed to maintain the optimal temperature for long-term operation.
Energy retrieval functionalities such as electric traveling enable a full day’s worth of work on a single charge. Subsequently, the electric Volvo wheeled excavator can be charged overnight by simply linking its integrated on-board charger (32 Ampere) to a wall socket or wall box, or in roughly one hour with a selection of rapid chargers.
The EWR150 Electric has been constructed to offer superior comfort courtesy of an enhanced cabin – a perk derived from the new generation excavator design and an enhancement over the diesel-powered EWR150E. Additionally, it enjoys increased performance and versatility with extended reach, lifting prowess, and minimized front pivot radius.
It is set to be available from mid-2025 to specific clientele in Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands.
Additional assistance
All three electric models are poised to benefit from the novel My Equipment digital tool, which aids customers in optimizing uptime and effectively managing the charging process through insights on battery status, machine usage hours, and power consumption.
Similar to their traditional counterparts, they can leverage the Load Assist and Dig Assist application suite, an array of compatible Volvo Attachments, and an assortment of services and solutions to optimize their usage.
For more information on Volvo CE’s evolving range of electric machines, please visit: https://www.volvoce.com/europe/en/products/electric-machines/
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