Volvo Construction Equipment has announced plans to create a range of electric compact excavators (EC15 to EC27) and wheel loaders (L20 to L28). These will replace new diesel engine-based models, which will no longer be developed.
“Volvo CE is delivering on its commitment of ‘Building Tomorrow’ by driving leadership in electromobility and delivering sustainable solutions that support customer success,” said company President Melker Jernberg in a press release. “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.”
Volvo CE said that the switch from diesel to electric is based on “an overwhelmingly favorable reaction from the market” to concept vehicles and feedback from customers. Diesel will continue to be the best power source for larger machines, but with smaller ones Volvo CE can start to develop more efficient electric equipment. The Volvo Group across the board has implemented a strategic focus on adding elcectromobility to every aspect of its business.
The public will get its first look at the new machines at the Bauma exhibition in Munich in April, with a ramp-up to production expected to go through mid-2020.