Volvo CE introduces electric wheel loader prototype

Volvo CE’s LX2 electric compact wheel loader prototype offers improved efficiency and reduced operational costs, according to the company. Photo courtesy of Volvo CE.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) introduced its LX2 electric compact wheel loader concept, a second-generation prototype.

The concept machine was unveiled at Volvo CE’s Volvo Group Innovation Summit in Berlin, Germany, along with other autonomous and electromobility innovations across the Volvo Group. The electric compact wheel loader prototype delivers improved efficiency, reduced operational costs, lower noise levels and zero emissions, according to Volvo CE.

The LX2 incorporates two electric motors – one for the drivetrain and one for the hydraulics. To make the machine electric, the combustion engine has been replaced with a lithium ion battery, which stores enough energy to operate the machine for eight hours in most common applications.

“The LX2 is a revolutionary zero-emissions prototype that offers improved efficiency and lower operational costs without compromising on machine performance,” says Ulrich Faß, emerging technologies manager at Volvo CE. “This, together with the fact that it has extremely low noise levels, makes it ideal for use in cities and densely populated areas, as it can be used without disturbing people.”

In addition to the LX2, Volvo CE also released its EX2 fully-electric compact excavator prototype at the summit. Both the LX2 and EX2 are part of a research project and are not commercially available.