Product feature: Volvo electric compact excavator prototype
The EX2, unveiled by Volvo CE at the Volvo Group Innovation on the 16th of May, is believed to be the world’s first fully electric compact excavator prototype
The 100% electric compact excavator prototype is said to deliver zero emissions, 10 times higher efficiency, 10 times lower noise levels, and reduced total cost of ownership compared to its conventional counterparts.
The EX2 was presented at the Volvo Group Innovation Summit in London, UK, alongside innovations from across the Volvo Group, including an autonomous refuse truck from Volvo Trucks and an electric bus from Volvo Buses.
The innovation summit centred on infrastructure and transport in cities of the future and focused on how the industry can have a positive impact on society through increased transport efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and improved traffic safety.
EX2's electric energy
To make the EX2 prototype fully electric, the combustion engine was replaced with two lithium ion batteries, totalling 38kWh, storing enough electric energy to operate the machine for eight hours in an intense application, such as digging compact ground.
The hydraulic architecture has also been replaced with electric architecture, which incorporates electromechanical linear actuators that help to optimise the transmission chain.
Volvo CE says removing the hydraulic system and the combustion engine, as well as reducing the cooling needs, has led to significantly lower noise levels.
At this stage, the EX2 is purely a research project and there are currently no plans for industrialisation.
"In line with the Volvo Group’s vision to be the most desired and successful transport solution provider in the world, Volvo CE is committed to contributing to sustainable development," Thomas Bitter, senior vice president of marketing and product portfolio, says.
"At Volvo CE, we are developing technologies connected to electromobility, intelligent machines, and total site solutions that will benefit our customers and the environment by contributing to increased machine performance, productivity, efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Our future products and services will play an important part in building a sustainable society."
Innovating for a sustainable future
The EX2 stemmed from the company’s earlier ELEXC research project, which was partly financed by the French government as well as various funding bodies in France. Volvo CE worked with a team of six partner companies that contributed towards the €7m project.
The ELEXC work started in 2012 and concluded in 2015, and since then, Volvo CE has been working on other research projects connected to the EX2, such as durability tests.
"The electrification of construction equipment will produce cleaner, quieter and more efficient machines. This represents the future of our industry," Ahcène Nedjimi, electrics and electronics systems lead engineer and EX2 project leader, says.
"The EX2 is a revolutionary machine. With its zero emissions and 10 times lower noise levels, it could easily be used in densely populated areas without disturbing people, even at night.
Ten times higher machine efficiency and maintenance-free systems mean that operating costs and total cost of ownership would be significantly reduced.
The prototype machine delivers the same power and force as its conventional counterpart, as well as faster speeds in combined movements.
And all of this has been achieved without compromising machine performance, ensuring customer needs would be fulfilled."
Keep up to date in the industry by signing up to Deals on Wheels' free newsletter or liking us on Facebook.
.jpg)
