Volvo CE discloses protocol for 48-volt charger

Construction equipment manufacturer Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has decided to publish its brand-independent software protocol and connector specifications for 48-volt DC chargers. It will allow other OEMs and suppliers to use it when developing their charging solutions for compact electric construction machines.

Currently, there is no industry standard for 48-volt DC charging solutions. Customers must procure several chargers if their fleet includes several brands, as each manufacturer offers its own system.

Of course, the Swedes’ logic will only work if other manufacturers take up the offer and adapt their products to Volvo charging technology in terms of software and charging plug form factor. Volvo CE uses 48-volt DC charging technology in its current model range for its ECR18 Electric, EC18 Electric and ECR25 Electric compact excavators, L20 Electric and L25 Electric skid steer loaders and DD25 Electric asphalt compactor.

“We want to contribute to a standardized, reliable and efficient electric ecosystem that makes it easy for our customers to go electric”, says Fredrik Tjernström, Electromobility Solutions Sales at Volvo CE. “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.”

Volvo CE has set up a dedicated mail address for queries about the 48-volt DC charging protocol. It can be found on the company’s website.

Heavier e-machines require 600-volt charging technology. For this voltage, the car industry already developed an industry standard protocol.

volvce.com (announcement), volvoce.com (project page with download link)