The Volvo L25 electric tyre loader proved its power to reduce costs as well as emissions in an exciting demonstration at two waste management and recycling plants, helping customers to realise their vision of a circular economy approach.

 

• Volvo Construction Equipment’s (Volvo CE) L25 electric tire loader has been tested at two Energy and Environment (E&E) centres in Eskilstuna, Sweden.
• During the four-week collaboration, the machine was tested in a range of waste management and recycling applications – as part of Volvo CE’s aim to deliver outstanding electrification performance in all areas.
• This unique collaborative approach allows Volvo CE to lead the manufacturing industry’s transition to zero emissions.

 

The Volvo L25 electric tyre loader – one of many electric machines manufactured by Volvo CE – was tested in two Energy and Environment (E&E) centres in Eskilstuna for four weeks. In collaboration with dealer Swecon, the eco-friendly machine worked at a sorting station in the Lilla Nyby recycling depot for two weeks before being moved to a transfer station outside the ReTuna shopping centre – the world’s first eco-friendly smart shopping centre that only handles recycled or used products.

 

The L25 Electric was tested in the warehouses on tasks of different kinds, such as cleaning ground surfaces, sorting and lifting recycled goods, meeting the challenge successfully thanks to the easily interchangeable attachments – including a sorting bucket, hydraulic forks and a Holms sweeper. All this using just a built-in (AC) charger to provide power.

 

Gustav Boberg, Head of Volvo CE, said: “It has been a privilege on this project to work with partners who share the same ideas such as Eskilstuna Energy and Environment and Retuna. It is only through collaboration that we can ensure that increasingly sustainable solutions are used throughout the chain. By sharing our experiences, we hope to inspire others to see how our electrical proposals can meet their own sustainability goals.”

 

The L25 Electric is being tested at two waste management and recycling plants in Eskilstuna, Sweden, in multiple operations.

 

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

Both customers and operators appreciated the performance of the machine and the savings. During the two weeks, the use of a single electric machine saved 250 kg of CO2, which translates into at least 6 tonnes of CO2 that could be saved on a six-month basis during the peak period. The L25 Electric not only provided a reduction in CO2, but also an 86-87% saving in energy costs for the two centres – with the charging costs as a small fraction of the cost required to power an equivalent diesel powered machine. In fact, it proved to offer the same excellent performance as its diesel counterpart – but with the advantage of low noise, zero emissions and a more comfortable working environment – winning new supporters. Operator Amanda Sihvonen said that after the trial period she is very likely to recommend the L25 Electric to colleagues. She added: “When I first found out we were going to be testing electric machines, I was really sceptical – but I completely changed my mind after driving the machine.” She is also confident that the machine has enough battery power to carry out everyday tasks and believes it is on a par with the alternative diesel engine in terms of performance and reliability.

 

Operator Amanda Sihvonen
has switched to electric mode after demonstrating the machine. The feedback and opinions of the operators were an important purpose of the project, not only in terms of the performance of the machines, but also the use of the components – to ensure optimal flexibility and operation of the electric machines. The knowledge gained from this project will help future projects. Another advantage highlighted by the operators was the almost silent operation of the L25 Electric, which facilitates, for example, shutdown and communication with visitors.

 

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Electric machines are ideal for waste management and recycling applications – among other things – helping to achieve a more sustainable way of working that fits in with the environmental ambitions and operations of the business itself. It is a circular economy approach that is in line with Volvo CE’s own ambitions, which is committed to achieving zero exhaust emissions by 2040 across its operations and supply chain. At the heart of the ReTuna shopping centre is a passion for the environment and a desire to support communities to shop sustainably. Sofia Bystedt, mall manager at ReTuna Återbruksgalleria, said: “Here in Eskilstuna, we have a very strong sustainability goal. Together with the City Council, we aim to be environmentally friendly by 2045, and this is one of the reasons why we started the partnership with Volvo CE and dealer Swecon. It’s a very important initiative to test new electric solutions, to see how they fit into our working environment, contributing to building a better world.”