Volvo electric

[ddbackhoe]

Thoughts on Volvos push into the electric world? Li-ion batteries only last 8 hours, wonder what it would take to recharge on-site.

Volvo CE unveils 1 percent electric compact excavator prototype : Volvo Construction Equipment

Volvo CE unveils electric compact wheel loader concept

 

[mddorange]

The reason for the big push to electric for everything is the strict emissions requirements coming.

 

[shooterdon]

Unless you are near a dealer, it makes no sense to me. Who will repair these things? But I like the idea. I use my machine 75 hrs a year. Electric makes sense for me.

 

[herm0016]

electric makes perfect sense for small industrial and construction applications. Its quiet, low emissions, Many small machines spend as much time sitting as they do digging during a typical day. I am not sure about the change to linear actuators, that will be interesting to see about the digging force. In many urban environments it would be fairly easy to set up charging for down time on the machine.

look at how long forklifts have been going electric.

electric has less moving parts and if designed as robustly as its IC counterparts, should be more reliable with reduced parts counts and complexity.

 

[ddbackhoe]

In many urban environments it would be fairly easy to set up charging for down time on the machine.

look at how long forklifts have been going electric.

electric has less moving parts and if designed as robustly as its IC counterparts, should be more reliable with reduced parts counts and complexity.

. Sometimes, a machine will need to be in service for longer than 8 hours, only shut down long enough to switch operators and a quick service (fuel, check oil and water) Electric forklifts (good example) are normally doing duty at a fixed site, not mobile, so the chargers can be easily accommodated.
Recharge time was kinda what I thinking. How long would it take and how? Without a supercharger, something like a Tesla or Chevy Volt takes ~4 hours to recharge with a 240VAC service line. Would a battery pack withstand the repeated charge/discharge demand? 3 or 4 pieces onsite and you’d need a large generator to recharge.

 

[crashz]

Looking forward to the option of electric. I've done a fair amount of mini ex work indoors in occupied buildings, so these machines will be perfect. Not to mention, you could plug them in overnight to re-charge. No refueling!

While there are jobs that have equipment running 10+ hours, I find that typically there is a lot of idle time, which would be a no power situation. I think these will really be great additions to the fleet. Downside is that it will be a long time before I can afford a used one for my personal fleet!

 

[BertZegers]

I am very skeptical about electric vehicles / tractors / construction equipment.
The charging will be a huge load on the grid. Be prepared to pay a very high amount of money, through your electricity bill, to upgrade the grid to accommodate this charging.
Renewable energy needs always a conventional backup. And every Watt used for charging must be generated! Most people seem not to realize this.
Take in account the losses for generation, transport, and conversion and the benefit for the environment is just not there.

Will they use a electric powered generator on the construction site to charge the electric machinery?:stirthepot:

 

[ddbackhoe]

Looking forward to the option of electric. I've done a fair amount of mini ex work indoors in occupied buildings, so these machines will be perfect. Not to mention, you could plug them in overnight to re-charge. No refueling!

While there are jobs that have equipment running 10+ hours, I find that typically there is a lot of idle time, which would be a no power situation. I think these will really be great additions to the fleet. Downside is that it will be a long time before I can afford a used one for my personal fleet!

I guess thats part of what I keep missing, the convenience. Where are you going to just plug-in to charge? Any demo job we do, first thing to go is the utilities (water, gas, electric), if they haven't already been turned off. A homeowner wont have a convenient outdoor plug for your use and would scream bloody murder about you using their electric.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Will they use a electric powered generator on the construction site to charge the electric machinery?:stirthepot:

Im guessing their Chevy Volt or Tesla (portable battery pack)/mobile office :laughing:

 

[crashz]

I've had to use diesel powered equipment indoors in occupied buildings and its always a hassle. Exhaust hose, scrubbers, complaints, complaints, more complaints. Some large facilities will not allow internal combustion engines in the facilities at all. For these operations, the electric options are great.

Will they replace conventional diesel excavators? No. I highly doubt they are intended to do so. But for indoor work, it beats shovels.