Volvo CE presents new electric construction machines

Together with already introduced electric solutions such as the 23-tonne EC230 Electric excavator and the corded EW240 Electric MH, the company showcased a range of new battery electric machines in Eskilstuna, Sweden. These include Volvo’s first electric wheeled excavator, the EWR150 Electric, as well as the L90 Electric and L120 Electric wheel loaders, which will be gradually introduced in limited quantities in selected markets from the beginning of 2025. Volvo CE is also introducing the PU40 mobile energy storage system for compact equipment so that the construction machines can also be charged in remote locations without a power grid.

Carl Slotte, Head of Sales Region Europe, said: “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 steps we are taking into the electrification of medium and heavy segment machines paves the way for more customers to decarbonize their operations and seize new business opportunities as societies worldwide transition to a low-carbon future.”

L120 Electric wheel loader

The new construction machines in detail: The Volvo L120 Electric is the first wheel loader to be launched on the market with a lifting capacity of 6 tonnes and is a valuable partner for numerous applications. These range from construction sites, ports and logistics centres to waste management and recycling, urban infrastructure maintenance, agriculture and forestry.

For most light and medium-duty tasks, the L120 Electric can work for a full day on a single charge, for around 5-9 hours depending on the application and environment. When it needs to be plugged in, it can be charged from 10 to 100 per cent in 1:40 hours with a 180 kW DC fast charger or the Volvo PU500 mobile charger, and in 7 hours with a 40 kW DC portable charger suitable for overnight charging.

L90 Electric wheel loader

As the first electric wheel loader in its class, the 15-tonne L90 Electric wheel loader is an all-rounder that is suitable for a wide range of tasks, according to Volvo CE. Like the L120 Electric, it not only has its own electric motors for the drive and hydraulics, so that the full power of both systems is available but is also characterised by faster response and shorter cycle times than conventional models.

In the L90 Electric, this is mainly due to the Volvo-developed transmission, which is completely new and specifically designed for the electric platform, ensuring optimal energy efficiency. The driver can easily access functions and settings via the intuitive user interface, which integrates the Volvo Co-Pilot and the reversing camera (where fitted). The L90 Electric lasts around 4-5 hours on most medium-duty jobs and a full working day on lighter jobs.

Similar to its bigger brother, the L90 Electric’s electric drive motor recuperates energy by acting as a generator when braking, ensuring longer running time and brake life. It can be charged from 0 to 100 % in around 70 minutes using a 150 kW DC fast charger or a PU500 mobile power unit, while its on-board AC cable allows a charging time of 6 to 7 hours for overnight charging.

EWR150 wheeled excavator

Volvo CE wants to expand into a new category with the EWR150 electric wheeled excavator. With the shortest tail swing in its class, it is a compact solution for use in city centres and confined spaces. This multi-purpose machine, supported by a range of attachments, is designed for numerous applications in construction, road building, utility installation and landscaping. As a wheeled solution, it can quickly relocate or move on to the next job site and carry all the tools it needs on a trailer, saving time and transport costs.

While other manufacturers offer converted electric options for this type of machine, the EWR150 Electric comes fully electric from the factory – making it a much more energy-efficient solution than its competitors and resulting in a lower total cost of ownership. The state-of-the-art batteries are equipped with a thermal management system that ensures they remain at the optimum temperature to guarantee a long service life.

PU40 mobile power unit

And then there’s the Volvo PU40, a new mobile power unit with a capacity of 40kWh. It’s compact, portable (though it weighs 900k) and can charge everything from compact Volvo electric machines to other electrical equipment on site, such as other brands of compact electric machines and equipment like drills and saws.

Charging the PU40 can be done via a low (6 kW AC) connection to the mains, which helps to avoid peak load costs. Alternatively, fast charging is possible via a 17 kW DC charger. Volvo’s compact electric machines can be fast-charged via the integrated 17 kW DC charger or via a 3 kW AC socket. The AC socket can also be used to charge Volvo compact electric machines and other electrical equipment.

“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. So, customers can recharge their machines quickly, safe in the knowledge that they are doing so in the most cost-effective way,” said Filip Brkljaca, Product Manager for Charging Solutions at Volvo CE. Thanks to its small size and light weight, the PU40 is easy to transport around the construction site, wherever the machines are located. For example, it can be easily transported with the Volvo L20 Electric and L25 Electric wheel loaders with pallet forks.

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