Eurovia Contracting, a national highway infrastructure company, has taken delivery of the UK’s first 100% electric-powered Volvo ECR25 mini excavator.
The zero-emissions, battery powered excavator has been chosen by Eurovia, as it takes steps to deliver a significant carbon reduction programme throughout the business.
“We’re on target to achieve a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, which is very significant for a company that has a high degree of self-delivery,” says Matt Stubbings, divisional manager of Eurovia Contracting. “And the introduction of battery-powered machinery holds the key to achieving that goal.”
Supplied by SMT GB, the ECR25 Electric is currently the only battery-powered three-tonne excavator on the market. It is also Eurovia’s first electrically powered excavator, and also the company’s first Volvo excavator.
“We’re extremely excited to be at the cutting edge of zero-emissions technology with Volvo and SMT,” adds Matt Stubbings. “It’s definitely a game changer, and we can’t wait to add larger, more powerful zero-emissions kit to our fleet.”
Eurovia Contracting’s managing director, Phil Skegg, reinforced that view. “Volvo’s electric-powered mini excavator enables us to take further steps towards achieving our environmental ambitions,” says Phil Skegg. “Urban operations will particularly benefit from noise reduction and zero emissions, and this will be the first of many for Eurovia.”
The zero tailswing, zero emissions ECR25 Electric delivers the same performance and power as its diesel-engined counterpart. That’s because Volvo engineers have replaced the ECR25’s internal combustion engine with a maintenance-free, 48-volt lithium battery pack. This provides a 20kWh, 450Ah supply, to operate a permanent magnet electric motor, which is used to drive the mini excavator’s hydraulic system.
Peak motor power is 18kW, reducing to 14.7kW during continuous operation. This also enables the ECR25 Electric to offer switchable work modes, through standard, Eco and Boost settings via the in-cab screen.
Capable of working a four-hour shift on a full charge, the ECR25 Electric is available with two charging options; one is through a 16-amp power source for over-night trickle-charging, and the other is a 32 amp fast-charge solution that can achieve a full-charge in around 1 hour 15 minutes. In addition, Eurovia Contracting has strengthened the sustainability credentials of the ECR25 Electric by investing in solar-powered batteries to boost low-carbon operations on site, reducing the use of more traditional diesel-powered generators.
The Volvo ECR25 Electric can be ordered online, using Volvo’s machine retail e-commerce tool. This online portal allows customers to reserve a place in the production queue for Volvo’s latest zero emissions construction equipment.
SMT GB markets Volvo Construction Equipment products, together with K-Tec articulated hauler scraper boxes, in Great Britain. There are eight strategically placed Customer Support Centres, a dedicated National Used Equipment Centre and a network of utility equipment dealers, to ensure high quality customer support is maintained throughout the country.
