At its Volvo Days customer event, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) showcased a range of new electric wheel loaders and excavators, alongside an off-grid charging station for construction sites. This event, held in Eskilstuna, Sweden, featured a comprehensive lineup of battery-electric machines, including the 23-tonne EC230 Electric excavator and the corded EW240 Electric MH. Among the new offerings are Volvo’s first electric wheeled excavator, the EWR150 Electric, as well as the L90 Electric and L120 Electric wheel loaders, which are set to be gradually introduced in limited quantities in selected markets starting in early 2025. Additionally, Volvo CE introduced the PU40 mobile energy storage system for compact equipment, enabling charging in remote locations without access to a power grid.

Carl Slotte, Head of Sales Region Europe, stated: “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 Volvo L120 Electric, the first wheel loader to enter the market with a lifting capacity of 6 tonnes, is a versatile partner for numerous applications. These include construction sites, ports, logistics centres, waste management, recycling, urban infrastructure maintenance, agriculture, and forestry. For most light and medium-duty tasks, the L120 Electric can operate for a full day on a single charge, ranging from 5 to 9 hours depending on the application and environment. When recharging is necessary, it can be charged from 10% to 100% in 1:40 hours using 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

The 15-tonne L90 Electric wheel loader, the first of its class, is designed for a broad range of tasks. Like the L120 Electric, it features electric motors for both drive and hydraulics, offering faster response and shorter cycle times compared to conventional models. The L90 Electric benefits from a newly developed transmission by Volvo, specifically designed for the electric platform, ensuring optimal energy efficiency. The driver can easily access functions and settings via the intuitive user interface, which includes the Volvo Co-Pilot and the reversing camera (where fitted). The L90 Electric can last around 4 to 5 hours on most medium-duty jobs and a full working day on lighter tasks. It can be charged from 0 to 100% in approximately 70 minutes using a 150 kW DC fast charger or a PU500 mobile power unit, with an on-board AC cable allowing for a charging time of 6 to 7 hours for overnight charging.

EWR150 Wheeled Excavator

Volvo CE aims to enter a new category with the EWR150 electric wheeled excavator. Featuring the shortest tail swing in its class, it is a compact solution for urban centers 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 to the next job site and carry all necessary tools on a trailer, saving time and transport costs. Unlike other manufacturers offering converted electric options, the EWR150 Electric is fully electric from the factory, making it a more energy-efficient solution with a lower total cost of ownership. The state-of-the-art batteries come equipped with a thermal management system to ensure optimal temperature and a long service life.

PU40 Mobile Power Unit

Volvo CE also introduced the PU40, a new mobile power unit with a capacity of 40 kWh. Compact and portable, though weighing 900 kg, it can charge a variety of equipment on site, including compact Volvo electric machines and other electrical equipment like drills and saws. The PU40 can be charged via a low (6 kW AC) connection to the mains, avoiding peak load costs, or through fast charging with a 17 kW DC charger. Volvo’s compact electric machines can be fast-charged via the integrated 17 kW DC charger or a 3 kW AC socket, which can also be used to charge other electrical equipment.

Filip Brkljaca, Product Manager for Charging Solutions at Volvo CE, commented: “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.” The PU40's small size and light weight make it easy to transport around construction sites, for example, with the Volvo L20 Electric and L25 Electric wheel loaders equipped with pallet forks.