Volvo Construction Equipment is building upon the commercial performance of its zero-emissions L25 electric wheel loader with a host of upgrades that aim to ensure further versatility, greater operator comfort and increased uptime.
RELATED: Keeping quiet: Toronto Zoo tests electric equipment for use around animals
The option to fit a new Parallel linkage, especially suited for medium-duty cycles and pallet-handling applications, is said to serve as a compliment to the existing Z-type one—delivering high breakout torque—but now for even more applications.
Also, with an increase in the maximum speed up to 20 km/h, the L25 Electric can move within, and between, jobsites much quicker.
“Thanks to the results of a close collaboration with our dealers and customers, we are proud to reveal the next level in outstanding electric performance,” said Paolo Mannesi, global product manager for Volvo Compact Wheel Loaders. “With all these upgrades, the L25 Electric now boasts even greater comfort, productivity and uptime, making it a truly unique product on the market. Our electrification journey continues, and I cannot wait so see the next models reaching our customers.”
Increased comfort and convenience
The upgrades are building on the success of the L25 Electric in its initial iteration, which has already been proving popular with customers.
“The L25 Electric is stronger than and more superior to its diesel brother. It is quieter and quicker to respond. The joystick control is also very sensitive,” said Arvid Rüster, product manager at Berliner Stradtreinigung in Germany.
According to Volvo CE, operators are reporting a more pleasant working environment with the emission-free wheel loader, leading the company to believe that they will appreciate that the upgraded machine is loaded with further features to enhance the operating experience.
A new hydraulic pump, and the relocation of the main control valve from the cab to the front frame, reduces noise emissions even further, making the machine even quieter inside and outside the cab.
For operators working in colder climates, the new programmable cab heater option allows them to choose times when they would like to arrive in a pre-warmed, defrosted cab.
Also, the need to reach under the hood to turn a main switch off at the end of a shift is now eliminated when using the machine regularly.
A new electric parking brake with hill-hold functionality is a convenient automatic feature for operators working on any construction site, but particularly on inclines or rough terrain. Also, because the disc-brake that was present in the former model is now replaced by a spring-applied and hydraulic-released wet-disk brake, related maintenance requirements are removed, helping to cut costs and machine downtime.
Operator comfort is also enhanced thanks to a more ergonomic joystick, the latest design on the market.
Faster charging = more uptime
The time it takes to achieve a full charge has been halved. Now, charging the L25 from zero takes only six hours with the improved 6kW on-board charger—if used with a 400V 16A CEE socket or public charging station.
Speedier charging is always still available with faster off-board chargers 9.6 kW and 17.3 kW. Also, if combined with the newly launched Electric Machine Management Application (EMMA), customers can further boost uptime by keeping track of charging status, battery level and machine location.
All of these new features and improvements revealed as part of the updated L25 Electric wheel loader will be found on the new L20 Electric, which Volvo made available for pre-booking in October of last year.
The slightly smaller L20 offers a 1.8-ton payload and comes with Parallel-type linkage and a choice of 33 kWh or 40 kWh battery pack to accommodate various autonomy needs.
