Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced the formal launch of its fully electric wheel loader, the L120 Electric, in the Middle East, after the machine successfully completed long and comprehensive testing in the UAE.
Announcing the launch, Volvo CE said that making the L120 Electric available in the Middle East “further advances a sustainable construction future” in the region. The all-electric wheel loader has been launched initially in the UAE and Turkey in the wider Middle East region, said the company.
According to Volvo CE, the L120 Electric is “engineered to deliver the same powerful performance as its diesel counterpart and has already undergone rigorous testing in the extreme heat of the UAE, passing all operational and durability benchmarks with flying colours”.
Volvo CE leads electric machinery space
The company added that the launch of the L120 Electric once again “solidifies the leadership of Volvo CE in the electric machinery space” and that a forward-thinking approach to equipment electrification has shown Volvo CE’s ability to deliver a viable alternative to diesel-powered machines without sacrificing power, reliability, or performance.
The testing phase of the L120 Electric before it was made available in the region saw Volvo CE collaborate with its trusted dealer Al Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (Famco) and selected customers in the UAE for testing the machine thoroughly and ensuring it could meet the demands of a range of applications in challenging climates.
Johannes Nordgren, product manager at Volvo CE, explained: “Our goal with the L120 Electric was to deliver a machine that not only lives up to but exceeds industry expectations for performance, sustainability, and reliability. Tests in the UAE proved that our electric equipment can withstand extreme conditions and offer customers a sustainable alternative without compromising on power or efficiency.”
Describing the new electric machine, Volvo CE said that the L120 Electric is a 6-tonne payload wheel loader with a total weight of 20 tonnes that uses the market-recognised conventional machine as its base. The L120 Electric delivers the same performance as the conventional internal combustion engine model, while offering the environmental benefit of zero tail pipe emissions, with nearly silent operation and a more comfortable working environment.
Powered by 282 kWh batteries, the wheel loader provides an eight-hour runtime in light to medium-duty applications, with the versatility to operate indoors and in noise-sensitive areas. Featuring state-of-the-art electric propulsion technology, the Volvo L120 Electric wheel loader marks a significant advancement in reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution from traditional diesel-powered equipment, said Volvo.
An advanced electric drivetrain, coupled with Volvo CE’s innovative cooling system, was a crucial focus during tests conducted in the UAE. Operating in temperatures that can climb up to 50°C, the L120 Electric was trialled to assess reliability and thermal management in harsh conditions.
Successful trials
This success of the trial highlights the robustness of the technology in one of the most demanding environments on the planet, said Volvo while emphasising that the L120 Electric’s cooling system is designed to optimise temperature regulation across the motor, batteries and power electronics.
In its statement, Volvo CE added: “Despite the intense heat of the UAE, the system maintained optimal working conditions for the machine’s key components, ensuring continued productivity and charging without overheating or performance degradation.
“The electric drivetrain offers considerable advantages for customers operating in environmentally sensitive areas, urban zones and regions with stringent emissions regulations. With zero tailpipe emissions, significantly reduced noise pollution, and improved overall energy efficiency, the L120 Electric represents a significant leap forward in sustainable construction equipment.”
Volvo CE champions green construction
Ilkay Fidan, Commercial Manager for Volvo CE in the Middle East, said: “With the successful launch of the L120 Electric wheel loader and its proven performance in extreme climates, Volvo CE continues to lead the charge towards a greener and more sustainable global construction industry.
“By harnessing electric power, it offers a cleaner, quieter and more efficient solution for construction projects. Ultimately the L120 Electric demonstrates a prevailing commitment to expanding an electric portfolio, delivering robust, zero-emission machinery that can thrive in the harshest operational environments.”
The L120 Electric will now be available in the UAE and Turkey, with more markets in the region to come, said Volvo CE.