Sustainability and productivity were the focal points at Volvo Days 2024 – Volvo Construction Equipment’s (Volvo CE) annual customer outreach event, which took place towards the end of May – with the Swedish machinery giant demonstrating its ambition to lead in these two areas by presenting pioneering launches and a fresh solutions-based approach.
On display at the event was a wide range of electric machines, including Volvo CE’s first electric wheeled excavator, showcased alongside its broadest range of charging solutions yet. The manufacturer also introduced its new smart applications in a solutions-based approach for reduced complexity and increased business potential. Furthermore, the event also saw the launch of a modernised range of excavators for both regulated and less regulated markets, equipped with advanced technology for outstanding performance that enables sustainable change for customers.
Held at Volvo CE’s new corporate HQ
Taking place in Eskilstuna, Sweden, the place where the company now known as Volvo CE was founded over a hundred years ago as Bolinder-Munktell, Volvo Days 2024 was the first major showcase since the company announced the site as its new corporate headquarters in August last year.
At the flagship event, customers got the inside look at Volvo CE’s very latest launches and innovations across both electric and conventional solutions, as well as its range of digital tools – and met the people making it happen.
Addressing the gathered customers from the EMEA region and beyond, as well as members of the construction industry trade media, Melker Jernberg, Head of Volvo CE, said: “The construction industry is changing and we at Volvo CE do not want to just take part in the change; we want to lead it. Volvo Days 2024 is a landmark event where we unveil our most ambitious and biggest product line-up of both conventional and electric products we have ever done.”
One of the most significant changes at this year’s Volvo Days was a shift away from silo-ed products and services towards total solutions – tailored to customer needs, no matter where they are on their decarbonisation journey, so that they can take on new challenges and opportunities with the support they need. Another new focus was on construction segments, allowing customers to see how Volvo solutions can be holistically packaged to deliver the highest possible performance across their specific applications, from Building and Utilities to Quarries and Aggregates.
New world-class Volvo CE products
In line with Volvo CE’s multi-pronged technology approach to meet varied customer needs, the company unveiled a new generation of innovative excavators, the Volvo EC500, EC400 and EC230. The range, which also includes the EC210 and ECR145, has been equipped with intelligent technology in a new electro-hydraulic system and improved human machine interface (HMI), and designed for increased fuel efficiency, productivity, safety and total cost of ownership.
Also among the displays at Volvo Days was an exclusive sneak peek at the all-new A40 articulated dump truck coming later in the year, building on Volvo CE’s rich legacy as an industry pioneer of articulated haulers, and the launch of the R60 and R70 rigid haulers, signalling an expansion of hauling options for customers.
Just like other conventional Volvo CE machines, the new additions to the portfolio can be powered by renewable HVO100 (hydrogenated vegetable oil), which significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel.
Joakim Arndorw, Head of Sales Region International, said: “These new ranges, alongside our electric solutions, prove that Volvo CE is well-equipped to respond to the different needs of our customers in both regulated and less regulated markets, leveraging our strength to implement meaningful innovation across all our offerings as we move closer towards our ambition for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.”
Volvo CE’s sustainably powered solutions
On top of a modernisation of its conventional offerings, Volvo CE is again delivering on its pledge to lead the industry transition towards fossil-fuel free construction with several exciting electric introductions in the mid-size segment.
Alongside already launched electric solutions such as the 23-tonne EC230 Electric excavator and cable-connected EW240 Electric MH, the company presented an array of new battery electric equipment. These included the EWR150 Electric, the first of Volvo’s electric wheeled excavators, and the L90 Electric and L120 Electric wheel loaders, scheduled for stepwise introductions from late 2024 in limited volumes across selected markets.
They are supported by its broadest range of charging solutions yet with the launch of the PU40 mobile power unit for compact equipment, available across select markets and a welcome addition to the already available PU500 mobile power unit. Also demonstrating Volvo CE’s dedication to securing a reliable electric ecosystem is the new My Equipment digital app, to help customers manage the charging process more efficiently.
Carl Slotte, Head of Sales Region Europe, said: “Volvo Days demonstrates how far we have come on our electromobility journey, from our first commercial launch in 2019 through to the broad line-up of electric machines and charging solutions we present today, amplified by our range of smart digital tools. The steps we are taking into the electrification of medium and heavy segment machines paves the way for more customers to decarbonise their operations and seize new business opportunities as societies worldwide transition to a low-carbon future.”
The event also highlighted the strength of the Volvo Group, with a number of collaborations all of which have been designed to accelerate innovation and aid the industry transformation. For example, Volvo Financial Services was there to showcase how it is customising financial offerings to meet the specific needs of its customers, while Volvo Trucks joined to demonstrate its impressive electric portfolio.