To its growing selection of all-electric equipment alternatives, Volvo CE has introduced three new mid-size electric construction machines.
The brand-new L120 electric wheel loader, L90 electric wheel loader, and EWR150 electric wheeled excavator add to Volvo CE’s current lineup of BEV equipment to support its clients’ aspirations to be fossil fuel-free and environmentally conscious.
“Our commitment to building a better world relies on us driving sustainable change across different equipment types and size classes,” Elodie Guyot, Head of electromobility sales for region Europe at Volvo CE. “We already have dependable electric solutions out in the field across our compact portfolio and a growing part of our mid-size range. We are excited to continue delivering on this commitment now with three medium-sized zero-emission innovations, across new lines and sizes, all of which benefit from our industry-leading, high-performing electric technology.”
The three new vehicles were unveiled for the first time this past weekend at Volvo Days 2024, where Volvo said that they were a “cleaner, smarter choice for customers looking to decarbonize their operations.”
The 20-ton L120 Electric wheel loader offers a 6-ton lifting capacity and quiet, precise, vibration-free operation, making it a valuable asset on job sites from construction sites to ports and logistic centers, and on through to waste management and recycling.
Volvo’s L120 Electric delivers between 5-9 hours of continuous on a single charge, depending on the workload. While that’s enough for a typical shift, when the Volvo does need to power up, it can charge from 10-100% in one hour 40 minutes with a 180 kW DC fast charger, or Volvo’s own PU500 mobile power unit.
Like the L120, above, the L90 Electric has dedicated electric motors for propulsion and hydraulics, enabling full available power to both systems, but enjoys a faster response and shorter cycle times than conventional models. The L90 Electric offers 4-5 hours of continuous operation across most applications, and up to 8 hours in lighter duty applications.
The L90 Electric can charge 0-100% in about 70 minutes using a 150kW DC fast charger or the PU500 mobile power unit, while its AC on-board cable can fully charge the loader in about 6 hours for overnight charging.
Volvo says the EWR150 Electric is different from other wheeled excavators in this class because it’s designed and built as an electric vehicle. The 15-ton machine is said to be ideal for construction, road work, utility installation, and landscaping operations with an updated cab that offers both improved telematics and greater comfort and smoothness compared to the diesel-powered EWR150E.
The Swedish construction company didn’t release battery specs or detailed information about its new EVs’ motors or hydraulics, but past electric releases from Volvo have met or exceeded the standards set by their diesel counterparts.