Volvo CE introduces first electric wheel loader

A key attraction of Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) distributor, CJD’s stand at the Diesel Dirt and Turf expo in NSW earlier this year, the L25 wheel loader looks and works just like any wheel loader, but produces no emissions, noise or vibrations.

The unit is powered by a 48-volt lithium-ion battery system and is one of the many electromobility solutions on display at the show.

“The operating weight, specs and dimensions of the L25 have been kept the same as its diesel equivalent,” said CJD Equipment’s Product Manager of Electric and Sustainable Technologies, Reid Gibson.

“It’s 2.5m tall, 1.5m wide and has a 1.2 cubic-metre bucket on the front with all your Volvo usuals such as a Volvo attachment bracket and the torque parallel linkage.

“So it's everything you'd expect from a Volvo wheel loader, just with the electric system.”

Charging the machine can be done two ways –AC charging which charges the machine up in six hours or a DC charge with an off board fast charging system that charges the loader up in about 1.5 hours.

On a full charge, the L25 can work for six hours, depending on the application.

One of the key benefits of running a machine like the L25 is it creates no harmful emissions which makes it ideal for working indoors or in urban areas where pollution could pose an issue. It also makes virtually no noise, which allows it to be utilised outside of the conventional working hours if required.

Vibration is also kept to a minimum, improving operator comfort. Another benefit of running electric machines is reduced maintenance and cost of ownership, CJD Equipment said.

“There's no diesel maintenance on these and the electric system is completely maintenance free so because of that, you're going to have less downtime and less servicing and maintenance to do. Because electricity is cheaper than fuel, the running costs are low as well,” Gibson said.

However, operating an electric machine comes with certain nuances that operators may need to get used to, Gibson added.

“With electric machines, the battery system is connected to electric motors which power your drive line and your working hydraulics so you get instant torque. Operators can adjust sensitivity within the cab to match their needs, but it will require operators to slightly change the way they're used to doing things,” Gibson said.

“It also has regenerative braking where the electric motor will slow itself down and return that kinetic energy into electrical energy through to the battery system. Because of that, you don't need to apply the service brakes as often.”

Looking ahead, CJD Equipment is expecting more electric models to come to Australia, including some bigger machines like the L120 wheel loader and EC230 excavator.

“A lot of customers are asking about these machines, so we'd really like to get these over and service our customers in the near future,” Gibson added.

Find out more about the L25 or Volvo CE’s electric construction equipment range on CJD Equipment’s website.