Trucks
Trucks
Building sites generate hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO2 every year. Electric equipment – both trucks, and construction equipment – can help to bring this down, as well as air pollution and noise pollution in cities. And with low-emission zones becoming more common, the time is right for change. But how is the construction industry being electrified, who’s leading the way – and what do you need to think of when making the switch?
It’s estimated that 13% of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide come from construction. This comes from every part of the industry: not least the creation of cement and steel, with transportation and demolition also playing a major part. But the emissions generated on building sites play a part too, with 400 million tons of CO2, or a total of 1.1% of all emissions worldwide, coming directly from construction machinery alone each year. A huge amount: but electric equipment, in the form of both trucks and construction equipment, can help to bring these numbers down
Now, electrified construction sites are becoming a reality. In fact, on some construction sites, electric has really hit its stride, proving itself to be a versatile option anywhere in the process - from infrastructure creation to demolition and beyond. For example, it’s estimated that 98% of construction sites in the Norwegian capital Oslo are already fossil-free, with just under a quarter of this activity powered by electric.
Construction sites that are free from tailpipe emissions can address part of the industry’s carbon footprint. At the same time other problems, like polluted air and noise pollution in cities, can be addressed by the technology, and conditions in the workplace can be improved. But it can prove something, too: that electric construction is fast becoming a workable reality for businesses worldwide. As well as building infrastructure, workplaces and places to live, electric construction sites can also be seen as building a vision for the future: of quiet, safe sites where batteries power the processes that create the towns and cities of tomorrow.
Gustav Boberg works with electromobility and sustainable solutions in selected industries at Volvo Construction Equipment. He says: “In 2019 we stated our intention to make electrified construction machines, as well as making the decision to stop development of the conventional diesel machines in the smaller size segment.”
Volvo’s first electric construction machines, a compact excavator and wheel loader, debuted at the large Bauma industry fair in Germany in 2019, followed by a staged market-by-market introduction and ramp up in 2020. Compact and nifty, they were perfectly suited for city-center jobs. “Cities and municipalities often have their own sustainability targets which they need to meet, and electric construction can help achieve those climate goals,” says Gustav.
Changes in society drive the need for new infrastructure too, particularly as electric car transportation also becomes more popular for city dwellers. As Gustav says: “We have a theme: “build electric with electric.” We see charging stations popping up like mushrooms in Europe for the car industry, and it's a really good set up to build these with electric. In order to speed up the transformation we need to work in close collaboration with all stakeholders across the value chain, like energy providers, utility companies and local authorities. True change requires meaningful partnership.”
Muamer Music leads the construction segment in Volvo Trucks. He spends a lot of time on sites and in conversation with key stakeholders in construction, finding out what they need – as well as what their preconceptions, and their experiences, of electric machinery and trucks are.
“There are already electric trucks on construction sites worldwide,” he says. “And this is an advertisement to the building companies’ own customers that they’re thinking right. It can be a simple change and they’re getting a product that can cover all their requirements.”
Muamer points out that once business owners and drivers use an electric truck for the first time, they usually become converts. But mindset shifts can’t, and won’t, happen overnight. Thinking about what might put people off from testing electric in construction, he says: “The biggest worry is that the truck will stop in the middle of an operation. Our customers know what kind of issues to expect with diesel, but new technology takes time to become well-known. With construction there’s also a constant question of how components like tippers and hook lifts communicate with the truck, for example.”
An electric wheel loader and an electric truck on a construction site.
However, here he sees a distinct advantage with the relative simplicity of the electric powertrain. “On electrical trucks, you don’t have that many components that can go wrong, and most updates can be done via the cloud. And these trucks are reliable: we test them thoroughly to ensure that they perform very well. Temperatures can have an effect – switching from warm to cold can impact the battery capacity. But we can help people plan their charging, as well as assisting with equipment like power banks and chargers. And we can calculate routes for efficiency and plan stops.”
Being on a work site with all-electric trucks and machines might redefine your view of construction. “Traditional construction work can be dirty and noisy,” says Muamer. “However, construction companies that shift to electric do not only reduce the emissions footprint, but they are also sending a message: we want to make a difference. And as more and more of these trucks come into operation then people all around appreciate it.”
And although the specter of range anxiety haunts construction work too, it doesn’t have to be a problem – particularly not with urban construction assignments. “The majority of these jobs can be handled with four batteries, because you’re not operating all day. Plan your charging around two shifts and you can work all day without a single issue. They could be working for an average of 100-150 km per day then back to the depot for a charge,” Muamer explains.
We need to continue with infrastructure, development, the refurbishment of old buildings and the creation of new buildings. We’re never going to be finished: and for that you need trucks and machines.
“During the scheduled break, you can recharge. There is no issue about the capacity, and we also see people making allowances and having fast chargers. If you have a power bank you can easily charge your trucks there. And of course, the same chargers can be used on trucks and construction equipment.”
“Electric trucks are perfect for big infrastructure projects, and in demolition when it comes to supplying trucks to remove different materials, with different tippers,” he continues. “When it comes to building construction, things like transportation of sand and gravel are ideal. Mixers can be operated very easily with electrical power – sometimes people have their own batteries which they use instead of relying on power take-off, but we’re trying to use that wherever possible so that it’s not too expensive for customers. You can also use AC and DC connectors on-site.”
Right now, urban construction leads the way for electric, and for good reason: the number of low-emission zones in Europe is predicted, this year, to pass 500. The impact on transport and construction will be significant, and only companies that have managed to get ahead of the curve will find themselves able to operate in those zones.
As uptake increases, products will need to become ever more effective and better at doing the tasks they’re needed for: as with any other technology. Muamer Music sees this as happening already. He says: “In five years a lot will have happened on the product side too, with range and energy capacity. But a Volvo truck that you buy now will still be in constant use in five years, and way beyond – for the entirety of its lifespan.”
The products are already here, and the mindset is shifting, and now momentum needs to be maintained. Fortunately, as the journey continues, it’s getting easier to see this happening on the ground.
“Standing on a site, that’s the fun part,” says Gustav Boberg. “When you see the machinery working in all conditions, like really cold conditions, you start to understand that you’re at the forefront of change. But it’s not just about having this kind of conversation with the people working on the site, you also end up talking to people all around.”
Gustav Boberg works as Segment Manager at Volvo Construction Equipment.
He continues: “Now, we're into the journey. And segment by segment, construction will be electrified. The construction landscape cannot of course be electrified overnight. But if we're talking about the future, let's give it five years from now and we’ll see which countries are in the forefront then. And this is not going to slow down.”
Every successful building project carried out using electric is not just another job well done. It also builds the case for technology that can do the same job – if not better – as diesel-powered machinery. Perfect for some environments, but applicable to most: and an indicator of positive change. “It’s a huge step forward,” says Muamer Music. “For the customer, for the environment, for the neighborhood: for everyone. Because it’s not like construction can stop. We need to continue with infrastructure, development, the refurbishment of old buildings and the creation of new buildings. We’re never going to be finished: and for that you need trucks and machines.”
