What is just an oddity at the moment in the construction industry will quickly become the ‘New Normal’ for heavy-duty construction equipment.
VOLVO
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is partnering with Baltic Sands Inc. out of Yucca Valley, California, to pilot two of its compact electric machines — the ECR25 Electric excavator and L25 Electric wheel loader.
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,” Marais says. “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.”
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.
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.
John Deere
John Deere and National Grid unveiled its electric backhoe concept, the 310X, at Utility Expo 2021. This battery-powered electric vehicle targets the ease of operation and performance level of the company’s 310L diesel-powered backhoe from 2018.
The 310L runs at 100 horsepower with an operating weight of 14,669 pounds. According to the company, the 310X electric is comparable to its diesel twin in both power and efficiency. The 310X is also 25 percent quieter than the 310L diesel machine. Attachments between the two machines are interchangeable.
According to Deere, the electric design is intended to provide lower daily operating costs, lower jobsite noise, enhanced machine reliability, and zero tailpipe emissions.
Related Articles:
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- Construction’s Future Is Right Out Of Science Fiction
- Automating The Existing Modular Housing Factory
Gary Fleisher is the Managing Editor for the Modular Home Coach blog. Email at [email protected]
