Volvo CE has reportedly added three new construction vehicles to its all-electric lineup, further expanding the automaker's zero-emission offerings.
The Volvo CE fleet now includes three new mid-size vehicles: the all-new L120 electric wheel loader, the EWR150 electric wheeled excavator, and the L90 electric wheel loader.
The 20-ton L120 Electric wheel loader has a 6-ton lifting capacity. It operates quietly, precisely, and vibration-free, making it an invaluable tool on job sites ranging from construction to ports and logistics centers, as well as trash management and recycling.
Volvo's L120 Electric provides 5 to 9 hours of continuous use on a single charge, depending on the workload. While this is plenty for a regular shift, the Volvo can charge from 10 to 100% in one hour and 40 minutes using a 180 kW DC fast charger or Volvo's own PU500 mobile power unit.
According to Volvo, the EWR150 Electric stands apart from other wheeled excavators in this class since it was developed and manufactured as an electric vehicle (EV).
The 15-ton machine is slated to be excellent for construction, road work, utility installation, and landscaping activities. Its upgraded cab provides better telemetry, more comfort, and smoother operation than the diesel-powered EWR150E.
Volvo's Swedish construction equipment division did not provide battery specifications or details about its new EVs' motors or hydraulics, but previous electric releases from Volvo matched or exceeded the criteria established by their diesel equivalents.
Like the L120 above, the L90 Electric has specialized electric motors for propulsion and hydraulics, allowing full power to both systems. However, it responds faster and has shorter cycle times than traditional versions. The L90 Electric can operate continuously for 4-5 hours in most applications and up to 8 hours in lighter-duty applications.
According to Electrek, the L90 Electric can charge from 0 to 100% in approximately 70 minutes using a 150kW DC fast charger or the PU500 mobile power unit, while its AC on-board cable can completely charge the loader in about 6 hours for overnight charging.
Continued EV Push of Volvo
Volvo's latest construction EV offerings come after automotive giants continue to shift towards EVs. Nissan recently confirmed that it will stop from investing in new gas or diesel-powered engines as it moves towards an electric future.
While competitors like Toyota, Mazda, and Subaru have pledged to enhance the efficiency of their next-generation diesel internal combustion engines (ICE), Nissan remains steadfast in its pursuit of an all-electric future.
Addressing the media at Nissan's Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom, Francois Bailly, the company's Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for the AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania) region, recently emphasized Nissan's commitment to EVs.
He noted that the company has no plans to invest in new powertrains for internal combustion engines.
EV Plans of Nissan
As Nissan prepares to release a series of upgraded EVs, such as the next-generation LEAF EV, the company focuses its business strategies on increasing its EV sales significantly.
Nissan aims for EVs to constitute 60% of its total sales by 2030. Nissan plans to refresh 78% of its lineup in the US with new e-POWER and PHEV models.
In Europe, the company is set to introduce six new EVs to achieve a 40% share of electric car sales by 2026. Nissan anticipates that forthcoming innovations will reduce the costs of its next-generation EVs by 30%.
