Volvo CE announce L120H Electric Conversion
Company expands mid-size electric offering with new L120H wheel loader electric conversion
VOLVO Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) have developed a solution to convert their L120 wheel loader to electric – fulfilling market appetite for more sustainable solutions in the mid-size range.
Developed in conjunction with partners Parker Hannifin and converted by Volvo Group’s own CE Engineering solutions, the 20-tonne L120H Electric Conversion will be commercially available for selected customers in Europe during 2023.
Using the conventional Volvo L120H machine as the base, which will still be offered to customers, the electric conversion model will deliver the same performance with the upside of doing so emission free.
Volvo CE say they understand that when it comes to delivering a carbon-neutral construction industry, they need to act now, which is why they have partnered with CE Engineering Solutions and selected electromobility partners to accelerate the availability of commercialized electric solutions across all segments and applications.
This latest collaboration to expand the company’s line of electric wheel loaders follows Volvo CE’s investment in Dutch manufacturer Limach, announced in June 2022, to broaden the company’s electric excavator portfolio.
Volvo CE say this partnership approach, which allows for speedier implementation to market, happens in parallel with the company’s continued development of more electric solutions, such as the EC230 Electric, a 23-tonne battery-electric excavator, built using Volvo CE’s own advanced technology.
Both approaches are needed, they say, if the industry as a whole is expected to reach carbon reduction targets like those Volvo CE have set out in their commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 – with significant emission reductions as early as 2030 – as part of the Science Based Targets initiative.
Carl Slotte, head of European sales at Volvo CE, said: ‘There is no time to wait – we need to deliver solutions that allow our customers to achieve their decarbonization goals. Change starts here.
‘Our commitment to partnership allows us to take a leading position in transforming our industry, with electric solutions that are built to fulfil market demand and tailored to suit the changing needs of our customers. Working together, we are scaling up our portfolio of electric machines, extending the versatility of our range and transforming our industry towards a carbon-neutral future.’
The L120H Electric Conversion is said to deliver the same performance as its diesel counterpart, but with zero exhaust emissions and near silent operation. These benefits combine to offer enhanced comfort for both the operator and those working near the machine.
Powered by 240kWh batteries, the loader provides a run time of approximately 5h in most medium-duty applications, and consistent with Volvo’s existing charging solutions, it is estimated to charge from 0–100% in just 1.5–2h.
The following features come as standard on the L120H Electric Conversion: Comfort Drive Control, Load Assist with On-Board Weighing, and radar detection together with Volvo CE’s new Collison Mitigation System.
In addition, the L120H Electric Conversion will be supported by dedicated electromobility applications which allow the operator to check battery and charging status and to preheat the cab.
The L120H Electric Conversion will be available for lease this year, with customers benefitting from a new business model that will make it easy to go electric. Also, depending on market demand, in the future there may be the possibility to convert existing customers’ L120H wheel loaders to electric.
