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Digger Man Blog

by Nick Drew  |  Mon 11 Oct 2021

Volvo’s Electric Charge Continues

Last week Volvo Construction Equipment introduced another three electric powered compact machines during a live virtual event from Eskilstuna in Sweden.

Volvo’s Electric Charge Continues

Its probably fair to say that Volvo CE have led the charge (pun intended) to bring electric powered machines to market and with the launch of the L20 compact wheeled loader and the EC18 & EC18R compact mini excavators, this brings their tally of electric machines to five models, as they join the L25 electric wheel loader and the ECR25 electric mini excavator which were launched previously.

Based on the larger L25 Electric, Volvo CE’s new L20 Electric is a 4.5-ton wheel loader with a 1.8-tonne payload and track width of 1.65 m (5.4 ft.).

The L20 Electric features a parallel-type linkage for improved visibility over the attachment being used as well as 100% parallel movements to suit use in fork applications. Also included on the machine is a new intuitive HMI (human machine interface) system designed for the company’s electric compact machines to help ensure optimized operation and comfort.

Two battery size options are available for the L20 Electric, a 33 kWh or 40 kWh battery pack. This allows customers to configure their machine based on their needed net operating time and planned charging schedule said Mannesi. The L20 Electric can be charged from 0-100% in up to 5 hours on public charging stations or using the charging cable provided with the wheel loader. Customers can expect to get up to 6 hours of active working time on a single charge with this new wheel loader.

The new EC18 and ECR18 Electric compact excavators have many aspects in common with their diesel equivalent, said Clement Brette, Global Product Manager for Compact Excavators at Volvo CE, during the virtual launch event. These include use of the same machine structures, a high level of operator comfort, the same hydraulics systems and optimized lifting and digging capabilities.

The1.8-tonne EC18 Electric is a conventional machine available with a heated cab or a canopy. It has a battery capacity of 20 kWh and runtime range of 3-5 hours depending on the application. According to Volvo CE, the excavator’s variable undercarriage retracts to less than 1 m (3.3 ft.) and expands up to 1.35 m (4.4 ft.), allowing it to squeeze into the tightest of areas, while the machine’s design ensures the right frame corner, swing post and cylinder stay within the tracks’ width, resulting in maximum visibility and a reduced risk of machine damage when working alongside obstacles.

Meanwhile the ECR18 Electric is a short-radius equivalent of the EC18 Electric. This 1.8-ton excavator features a 12 mm (0.5 in.) overhang in the back and the front right corner stays within frame when rotating, ensuring manoeuvrability in tight spaces. This machine is only available with a canopy. It has a 16-kWh battery capacity and a runtime range of 2.5-4 hours depending on application.

Both compact excavators feature 5 in. (127 mm) colour displays with simplified menus to ensure ease of operation. The machines are compatible with Volvo’s range of fast chargers and can be recharged from 0-80% in up to 1 hour.

Photo: Volvo's ECR25 model on display during Bauma 2019.

We have long been promised a test drive opportunity on the earlier Volvo electric models having seen them previewed at the last Bauma Trade Fair, hopefully that opportunity will come to fruition soon.

If you missed it, you can check out the recording of the live launch event below.

 

 

 

 

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