Volvo Construction Equipment announced today the results of a pilot project testing the ECR25 Electric compact excavator and L25 Electric compact wheel loader in North America. Remarks were provided at a press event in Los Angeles alongside officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), and customers who tested the machines.

For nearly a year, Volvo CE has been testing its battery-powered ECR25 Electric compact excavator and L25 Electric compact wheel loader with multiple customers on job sites in Southern California with the goal of accelerating the deployment of zero-emission technologies for off-road vehicles. Both machines are zero-emission solutions that meet the high-performance standards of construction customers in a variety of applications, as proven through the recent testing scenarios. An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant administered by the South Coast AQMD provided funding for the project.

The pilot results come on the cusp of the company’s full roll-out of electric machines in these sizes, with customer deliveries of the ECR25 Electric expected in January 2022 and both units available throughout North America early in 2022. The company is the first to commercialize dedicated electric machines at the larger end of the compact size range.

“Our customer’s response to these machines validates that there is not only a desire for these types of machines in North America but a pull in many markets. This just adds further momentum to the Volvo vision of offering machines that align with Science-Based Targets and our overall commitment to decarbonization,”

said Stephen Roy, President of Region North America, Volvo CE.

Key learnings from the pilot

The pilot project confirms Volvo electric construction equipment matches performance and has significant benefits when compared to diesel machines in the same class.

“The California pilot project supports what we’ve seen on job sites in Europe and elsewhere: our battery-electric compact excavator and compact wheel loader are viable alternatives to diesel equipment for construction fleets that want to reduce their carbon footprints. Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time, we all have an important role to act, and by working together and collaborating we can reduce the number of harmful emissions that are entering the atmosphere,”

said Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE.

Key findings:

Sustainability — Powered by lithium-ion batteries and producing zero emissions, the ECR25, and L25 compact electric machines proved themselves as environmentally sound options. They also allowed some of the customers to operate inside buildings and other structures where diesel exhaust is restricted.

• Proof points: Based on the combined 400 operating hours of electric machine use during the year-long pilot, there was a reduction of 6 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and an approximate savings of 560 gallons of fuel with an estimated cost of $2,400, when comparing diesel machine use at the same amount of hours.

Noise — There were significantly lower noise levels compared with diesel equipment, reducing noise pollution and improving job site communication and safety by making it easier for crew members to hear each other. The testers said the machines could allow them to work in sound-sensitive areas.

• Proof points: Lowered exterior noise levels by 9 decibels (dBA) on the ECR25 Electric compact excavators compared to their diesel counterparts, which represents a 90% decrease in sound power. The L25 Electric compact wheel loader sees a similar reduction in sound power, which is a measurement of noise radiating from a source.

Performance — The Volvo electric machines have similar specifications to their diesel equivalents, and pilot project participants said that in practice the performance matched that of diesel machines. There also was positive feedback on the decreased maintenance needs of the electric machines, which don’t require maintenance items such as oil, oil filters, and diesel particulate filters. The need for a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank is also eliminated.

• Proof points: Matched performance in several key areas, including digging depth and breakout force on the excavator and tipping load and dump height on the wheel loader.

Charging — The project was an enabler for adaptations to the machines to make them compatible with the North American power grid. The higher current available on the U.S. power grid compared with Europe was found to be a benefit to charging. The Volvo CE pilot project confirmed the importance of having access to quality charging connections. However, traditional power sources aren’t always required. Baltic Sands, for example, installed a solar array for its work in the desert.

• Proof points: Between the two machines, over 200 charge cycles were completed using 240-volt AC grid power, fast charging, mobile power sources, and solar power.

“This electric construction equipment produces no tailpipe emissions and protects the health of neighboring communities. In order to attain the national air quality standards and fight climate change, we need to aim for vehicles and equipment that produce near-zero emissions,”

said EPA Pacific Southwest Air and Radiation Division Director Elizabeth Adams.

Pilot project partners

The L25 Electric compact wheel loader and ECR25 Electric compact excavator were used by four organizations in a variety of applications:

• The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), for trenching, grading, and clearing of drainage areas.
• Casper Company, which specializes in demolition, concrete cutting, and environmental services, for utility and demolition work, including inside buildings.
• Baltic Sands Inc., which specializes in environmentally sensitive, off-grid property development, for excavation, grading, moving material, and numerous other tasks in housing construction.
• Waste Management, a waste disposal and recycling company, for light waste handling.

“Over the three months we tested, these machines performed exceptionally — matching what we would expect from a diesel machine of equal size but with no emissions. We are excited to be one of the early adopters in applying electric equipment to our business and I have a sincere belief that this is the future,”

said Jacques Marais, Director, Baltics Sands.

Applying the learnings and Volvo CE future priorities

Volvo CE continues to compile data and will submit full reports on the project to the South Coast AQMD and EPA.

Volvo CE will apply the learnings to future research and development of battery-electric vehicles. Points of emphasis will be to continue to enhance the run times of machines, optimize the onboard charging systems and continue to explore alternative charging methods for job sites without readily available access to charging stations.

Prebooking of the ECR25 Electric compact excavator and L25 Electric compact wheel loader for North American customers is open now for those who want to be among the first to own the machines when delivery begins in early 2022.

Additionally, Volvo CE will continue to develop the electrification of other sizes and types of machines.

Source: Volvo CE

The post Volvo CE Announces First North American Electric Machines’ Pilot Results appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

“We’ve been out here for two seasons. I remember the day we set up camp—we literally pitched a tent and started testing our tractor. Thanks to Wente’s support, we have made a lot of progress and today is the culmination of that progress with us handing over the tractor that Wente vineyards are going to use over the coming years,”

said co-founder Praveen Penmetsa.

Wente Vineyards is the longest family-run winery in the nation with five generations of knowledge. The fifth generation of the Wente Family has continued the family’s sustainability efforts to be better stewards of the land for generations to come. The Monarch Tractor will help them continue these efforts.

The 15 pilot-series tractors being deployed are a stepping stone in Monarch’s goal of beginning full production at the end of the year. The power is now in the hands of the consumer, and Monarch Tractor will be used just like any other tractor on the field. In the coming months, Monarch will take all of the feedback they receive and implement changes in the software and hardware that will help ensure our tractors are ready for any challenge.

We’re honored to receive an outpouring of support from many different groups across the tech and innovation, farming, and governing communities. Members of these groups include iGATE Innovation Hub, the Innovation TriValley Leadership Group, and the local tech and innovation community as well as Bush Hog and countless farmers in the region. A special thanks to the City of Livermore and the Livermore Chamber of Commerce for embracing Monarch as they further establish our roots in the ideal agtech location where the tech and talent pool of Silicon Valley, agriculture of the Central and Napa Valleys, and R&D in the TriValley area all intersect.

“This deployment is just the beginning of what is possible in terms of a sustainable technology that is going to have an impact on farm economics. Our mission has always been to create a sustainable food ecosystem for the world over,”

said Penmetsa.

Source: Monarch Tractor

The post Monarch Tractor Announces Deployment of the First Fleet of Pilot-Series Tractors appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

Baltic Sands specializes in environmentally sensitive, luxury off-grid property development and real estate, developing homes with a focus on sustainability and unique design enhanced by the surrounding environment.

The company primarily works in remote desert locations where power, water, and utilities aren’t simply scarce — they’re nonexistent. While the lack of a power grid initially presented a challenge with daily charging of electrically powered equipment, it didn’t stop Company Director Jacques Marais and his team from continuing their pursuit of developing environmentally responsible housing with environmentally responsible equipment. They never hesitated to become early adopters of electromobility.

“I started out in construction in my late 20s on large earthmoving projects, but the denuding of vegetation and trees never felt right. I tussled with the idea of earning a decent living while at the same time realizing my responsibilities to the environment. This pilot project with Volvo CE allowed us to pursue the idea of being more ecologically friendly through the adoption of new technologies,”

Marais says.

The commercial pilot is part of a $2 million grant administered by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission technologies for off-road mobile equipment, which is one of the major contributors to nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in the South Coast Air Basin. The South Coast AQMD region includes Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, including the Coachella Valley.

Electric machines prove they can hold their own

Through the Volvo CE pilot program, Jacques and his team were able to secure two electric compact machines for development work on remote sites in Southern California — and throughout the trial, they were impressed with the results.

The electric wheel loader reshaped the larger areas, performed the finish grading to assist with stormwater control, and relocated the soil stockpiles for further processing. The machines worked together to efficiently complete eco-friendly tasks each day.

So, how did they perform compared to conventional diesel machines?

“In my opinion, they perform equally in terms of productivity. They’re extraordinary, and they surprised us. In fact, we’d love to have these machines working all the time,”

Marais says.

Running the machines all the time became more of a reality once a planned solar array was installed. It was used to power the machines overnight and during lunch, helping the remote jobs move faster and more efficiently.

This successful operation in extreme conditions bodes well for the viability of electric machines in urban settings — and that’s welcome news to the South Coast AQMD.

“A lot of off-road emissions are in densely populated, environmental justice communities, as well as on farms. Electric construction equipment would be a great opportunity and solution for our region,”

says Ben Benoit, the organization’s Chair.

Reaping the benefits of electric equipment now and in the future

“With these electric machines, noise isn’t a factor — you can talk to an operator as if he or she is standing right next to you. Maintenance hasn’t really been a factor either. These machines were up to par for sure,”

says Aaron Anderson, Baltic Sands’ Dealer Sales Representative at Volvo Construction Equipment & Services.

Marais looks forward to going through the trials again in the near future with the two electric units plus a battery pack to see how charging can be simplified even more. Long term, Marais and the Baltic Sands team are looking at ways to integrate electric machines into their current diesel-powered fleet to see how diesel and electric can work in harmony.

“This is where ideology meets reality. I’m mindful of that and hoping that as early adopters of electromobility, we get it right. I’m pretty excited about getting that under our belt and seeing what the future holds for our company,”

Marais says.

Source: Volvo CE

The post Volvo CE and Baltis Sands Partnership to Pilot Two Compact Electric Machines appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.