10 Questions You Should to Know about Electric Loader

1. Electric is Healthy for More Than Just The Environment

Electric equipment isn’t just good for the planet. There are health and safety benefits to using electric construction equipment for contractors and the community around a project. Aside from producing zero fumes and improving air quality, electric equipment runs substantially quieter than traditional gas-powered machines. Quieter environments mean less damage to contractors hearing and ears. Ear protection is often overlooked by operators and contractors so reducing the danger from the source would make a big difference. 

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Running on electric power reduces the amount of gas and fumes on a site improving air quality for contractors, communities and the world as a whole. Building and construction produces 39% of global carbon emissions and 40% of off-road equipment emissions are created by the construction industry.  When it comes to health and safety, electric equipment makes a difference.

2. Electric is Coming from the Brands You Know and Love

The beauty of electric equipment is that the same brands that are known, loved and trusted are the ones leading the charge for this new technological change. Volvo, Bobcat, CAT, JLG and many other brands have already or will soon be introducing electric equipment to their fleet. 

Contractors can rest assured that the quality, care, support and operation of the machine will not be compromised by going electric. These large names are helping to make electric a viable and reliable option by connecting the upgrade to the brand. This confidence will translate to wider adaption and acceptance of the machines.

3. Electric Will Reduce Project Costs

Fuel costs are one of the biggest money-eaters for a construction project. It can cost thousands of dollars to fuel machines for the length of a project. While electric-powered machines still cost money to charge, it is substantially cheaper than the cost of gas.

While cars are much smaller and powerful than construction equipment, the cost comparisons of an electric vs hybrid vs gas-powered car show just how economical electric can be. 

An Ontario Government cost comparison places electric vehicles at about $530 a year to charge and drive. Hybrids are estimated to cost $700 a year while a comparable gas car can cost upwards of $2,500 a year to fuel. Imagine the savings that could be applied to the construction industry.

Not having fuel tanks on-site reduces the risk of fuel spills or gas leaks as well. Environmental protection standards can lead to high costs for projects in the event of an accident or spillage. Taking the gas out of the equation can help save project owners money when it comes to cleanups.

4. Electric Equipment Could Positively Affect Project Timelines

Because electric machines make much less noise than traditional machines, electric-powered construction projects may be able to work earlier mornings or later days. In many cities, limitations on noise can force projects to stop during certain times of day. When electric equipment becomes more widespread, it may change the rules around operation times for construction sites. 

This could come in handy for areas with extreme weather. During the summer months, early or evening hours can be far cooler than during the day. Working in off-hours or overnight could be safer and reduce the risk of heatstroke for contractors and operators. Freedom in work hours could positively affect project timelines by reducing downtime, lengthening workdays and working with the weather instead of battling against it.

What type of charging infrastructure do I need for electric construction equipment?
To have an optimal charging time for electric machines, we strongly recommend a 240-volt NEMA 14-50 outlet utilizing an SAE J charging adapter or J plug — the same as for electric cars. While you can charge the machines on a common household 120-volt network, it takes longer.

Here are the approximate charging times for the two setups:

Common Household 120-Volt Outlet 240-Volt, Level 2 AC Setup ECR25 Electric Excavator 12 hours 6 hours ECR18 Electric Excavator 11 hours 5 hours EC18 Electric Excavator 12 hours 6 hours L25 Electric Wheel Loader 24 hours 6 hours L20 Electric Wheel Loader* 24 hours 6 hours

All charging times are approximate from empty to full.
* With 40kWh optional battery pack, 33kWh is the standard configuration.

The more power you can put into your electric machine, the faster it will charge. Think of it like filling your vehicle with a gas can versus a convenience store fuel pump.

And of course, we’ll continue to research, develop, and provide a wider range of charging options in the coming months and years. As electric vehicles continue to roll out into the market more and more, improved charging infrastructure will follow suit — and that’s good news for the construction industry.

Why do the electric wheel loader models take twice as long to charge as the electric excavator models on 120V, but have the same charging time on 240V?
The electric excavator models have three battery racks. The electric loaders have the same battery racks, but they have six. Double the batteries is the reason it takes twice as long to charge battery-powered construction equipment on 120V as the kilowatts available on 120V is limited.

When charging on 240V, the charging time is the same, as the 240V has a higher kilowatt output. Here the difference between the machines is that the on-board charger on the loaders double the kilowatt capacity compared to the excavators.

Does Volvo offer a charger for working in remote locations where a power grid isn’t nearby?
Yes. Volvo offers a Beam solar fast charger which is an off-grid, no connection, free-standing solar charger that has a battery pack similar to the size of the one inside the Volvo L25 wheel loader. A nice benefit is that the solar panels are always in the correct angle because they follow the movement of the sun.

Two North American Type 1 charging plugs — the same used for electric vehicles — are available for 240-volt charging. The charging time is the same as on the 240-volt, Level 2 AC setup (six hours for both machines), but keep in mind this is totally off-grid — you aren’t required to have any power cables running to it. You can simply charge your construction machines using the power of the sun.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Electric Loader. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

What other future charging solutions is Volvo working on?
Volvo is offering a BENNING DC fast charger. The fast charger charges the 48V batteries direct with 48V DC and up to 360 amps. As a result, the charging times are drastically reduced:

BENNING DC Fast Charger ECR25 Electric Excavator 1 hour ECR18 Electric Excavator 40 minutes EC18 Electric Excavator 1 hour L25 Electric Wheel Loader 2 hours L20 Electric Wheel Loader* 2 hours

All charging times are approximate from empty to full.
* With optional 40kWh battery pack, 33kWh is the standard configuration

Keep in mind the BENNING unit isn’t off-grid, so it would need to be wired into a 480-volt, three-phase power grid at the location where you want to charge your electric equipment.

New chart to load in for fast charging times for all-electric models.

Which is the best charger for the battery life of electric construction machines?
The best for the battery life is AC Level 2 charging, which is slow charging, versus DC fast charging — but again, it’s all about a customer’s needs. It’s not killing the battery, it’s just that you can extend the life of the battery with slower charging. We don’t yet know how long the batteries will last in electric construction equipment because the technology is so new, but we estimate the battery will likely last somewhere around 10 years.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the lithium-ion technology used in our batteries is far superior to the old lead-acid or nickel-cadmium technology we sometimes have in mind when thinking about electric vehicles. Volvo’s advanced batteries have no memory effect, they’re maintenance-free, fast charging is possible, and they experience less loss of power in cold temperatures. With a 12-volt, lead-acid car battery, as soon as it gets cold, the capacity is drastically reduced — that’s not the case with these batteries.

What tips do you have for contractors to ensure charging is maximized throughout the day?
First, I always recommend that when you have any pause in your construction workday, charge the batteries (e.g. an hourlong lunch break). Because these are lithium-ion batteries, they have no memory effect. You can top them off during a break and continue working throughout the afternoon or evening.

It’s also best practice to charge the batteries of electric construction vehicles from mid-level to full, as opposed to draining the battery completely before recharging. When you charge from say 30 or 40% back up to 80 or 100%, it’s better for the overall lifetime of the battery. Remember, these aren’t lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries like you’d see in early versions of electric power tools. Those were impacted by the memory effect — if you didn’t charge them properly, they became more or less useless after a short time. The lithium-ion batteries in Volvo electric machines are much more advanced and much more forgiving, so it’s perfectly fine to charge them back to full whenever a good opportunity arises.

A final tip is not to run the electric machine at full throttle all the time because oftentimes you don’t need the excessive power. Unless it’s needed, run in an appropriate rpm range to get the work done without slowing down, but there’s really no need to run full-time at full electric motor rpm.

Do I need to train my operators to remember to turn off their electric construction machines throughout the day to save battery life?
No. Volvo compact electric machines come with Auto Electric Motor shutdown. If an operator stops running the machine, the electric motor turns off after a defined period of time. The operator can select times anywhere between three and 20 seconds. And to get working again, the electric motor turns on instantly and provides instant power. It’s not like a diesel engine where if you stop working, it goes into idle and burns fuel. In the electric machines, the electric motors shut off according to the operator’s preference.

Another benefit is that all the lighting on these Volvo electric machines (rotating beacons, work lights, travel lights, etc.) are LED — so they’re very low-power consumers. This helps extend battery life for your toughest construction projects.

How long do electric vehicle batteries last on a typical day?
This is tough to answer because the machines can be used in so many ways, in a variety of applications. These differences in jobsite environments can significantly alter how long the batteries last.

For example, we’ve had customers doing heavy applications like cutting, grading, and heavy workloads who have worked through the morning and needed a quick charge at lunch. Meanwhile, customers in lighter applications or where the machine is getting intermittent use have found that it can last longer. From testing, we have seen reported work time between 4 to 6 hours depending on the application.

If you’re trying to compare machine run times for electric versus diesel, they’re not apples to apples. That’s because when your operators pause their work for things like short conversations or breaks, electric machines shut down. With electric, fuel-consuming idle time is essentially eliminated. So where a diesel machine may have accumulated 8 hours in a typical day, an electric machine will likely accumulate far less — and that means your charge will likely go farther.

All that said, Volvo’s Net Operating Time Calculator, available to our dealer network, provides very good estimates of runtime for various applications. This calculator will allow them to sit with customers and talk through specific applications to estimate daily charging needs. From fork handling and material handling to digging and trenching applications, it’ll be a tool that helps customers better understand where electric machines best fit into their fleets.

What’s the general outlook on U.S./Canada charging infrastructure development?
Currently, the charging infrastructure development is primarily driven by electric vehicles (EVs) — as more and more electric vehicles come out, more and better-charging infrastructure will become available long-term for electric construction equipment owners. Electric isn’t a fad — it’s here to stay. And we can expect charging infrastructure to remain a top priority for the EV industry, construction industry, and more.

ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND THE FUTURE

While charging is definitely an important consideration for those considering electric construction equipment, contractors need to also keep in mind all the new and different ways electric construction equipment can be used. The ability to work indoors thanks to zero emissions, the ability to work outside of normal business hours due to their quiet operation, the ability to have a fast-charging option to work longer hours — these benefits open the doors of possibility for those looking to expand their business down the road.

Written by Lars Arnold – Electromobility Product Manager for North America

Lars has an engineering background and has been with Volvo since . He has worked in multiple positions in various countries and is now based in Shippensburg as the electromobility product manager for North America in charge of product specifications and required features for the North American market.

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