Having already developed an electric mini excavator model, Volvo is now in the testing stages for a large excavator run completely on the same stuff that powers lightbulbs.
The EC230 electric excavator came to life in a factory in Changwon, South Korea. As of right now it's only a customer pilot model, not yet available to the public, but Volvo says the EC230 has been tested by customers in South Korea and China.
The model now heads to the USA to try and win over a largely skeptical North American market.
Volvo says it offers the same features as the diesel powered EC220 with the same tool size, digging forces, lifting capacities, all with less noise and zero emissions.
Volvo says the battery powered excavator should reduce energy costs by at least 50% compared to the EC220. The machine is powere by four 66-kilowatt lithium-ion battery packs that enable the operator to work about four hours before needing a recharge.
Obviously, four hours isn't enough time to get most jobs done in a day but Volvo says the machine can be back up and running with a fast, high-powered charge that takes about an hour.
Other charge features are being developed to further reduce or even eliminate dead battery down time.
Hydraulic pumps are identical to those for the EC220, providing the same performance, except they are now driven by an electric motor.
Volvo is already selling its newest electric machines, the L20 electric compact wheel loader and the EC18 and ECR18 electric compact excavators. They'll start showing up on worksites in 2023.
The goal of electric construction machines is to save customers on fuel costs, be more efficient, and of course, release less pollution into the environment which everyone can agree is a good thing, regardless of personal views on global warming agendas.
Volvo plans on phasing out diesel powered machines.
Check out the video below for an intro to the EC230.
