Photo by Volvo Construction Equipment
Volvo CE is preparing to go all electric with its compact wheel loaders and compact excavators.
Volvo CE is preparing to go all electric with its compact wheel loaders and compact excavators.
Volvo CE is preparing to go all electric with its compact wheel loaders and compact excavators.
Volvo CE is preparing to go all electric with its compact wheel loaders and compact excavators.
Volvo CE is preparing to go all electric with its compact wheel loaders and compact excavators.

Volvo CE Goes Electric on Smaller Machines

Jan. 17, 2019
Volvo Construction has announced that in 2020 it will start the launch of an electric range of Volvo-branded compact wheel loaders and compact excavators.

Volvo Construction has announced that in 2020 it will start the launch of an electric range of Volvo-branded compact wheel loaders and compact excavators. In a pioneering commitment to future technology, Volvo CE announced that by mid-2020, it will begin to launch a range of electric compact excavators (EC15 to EC27) and wheel loaders (L20 to L28), stopping new diesel-engine-based development of these models.

With this move, Volvo CE is the first construction equipment manufacturer to commit to an electric future for its compact machine range. This follows an overwhelmingly favorable reaction from the market after the successful unveiling of a number of concept machines in recent years, and by working closely with customers. This move is aligned with the Volvo Group’s strategic focus on electrombility in all business areas.

The first machines will be unveiled at the Bauma exhibition in April 2019, followed by a staged market-by-market introduction and ramp up in 2020. While the company emphasizes that diesel combustion currently remains the most appropriate power source for its larger machines, electric propulsion and battery technology is proving particularly suited to Volvo’s smaller equipment. With research and development investment now focused on the rapid development of its electric compact wheel loaders and excavators. Volvo CE is taking a step towards diesel-free compact equipment in the future.

“Volvo CE is delivering on its commitment of ‘Building Tomorrow’ by driving leadership in electromobility and delivering sustainable solutions that support customer success,” said Volvo CE president Meler Jernberg. “The technology we have been developing is now sufficiently robust and this, together with changes in customer behavior and a heightened regulatory environment, means that now is the right time to commit to electromobility in our compact equipment ranges in the future.”