First Volvo CE electric machines get to work in Japan

The rollout of electric machines from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) across Asia continues to build momentum with the first units now at work in Japan. This past May, at the CSPI-EXPO in Tokyo, Volvo CE unveiled two new electric machines for the Japanese market, the first of their kind in the country. Just a few months later, the first machines are already at work, delivering emissions-free, powerful performance on local job sites.

One of the first projects in Japan to take advantage of the electric machines is a new condominium construction underway in Osaka. The main contractor on the project is using an ECR25 Electric excavator rented from Nishio Holdings. The company was the first in Japan to receive electric machines from Volvo CE and purchased them from local dealer Yamazaki Machinery, which is providing full sales and service support.

The ECR25 in action, showcasing its capabilities for one of its first projects in the country

A representative from the contractor working on the Osaka project said: “We’ve already received significant positive feedback on the ECR25 from our operators at the construction site who love the reduced noise in their working enclosure and find the performance almost identical to diesel machines. It’s a stylish and modern-looking machine that is perfect for urban areas. In addition, as the electric machines are CO₂ free, we are proud to be able to proactively contribute to reducing our carbon footprint in line with the Japanese Government’s plans.”

Technical details

The ECR25 Electric Compact Excavator is a 2.6-2.8 t capacity machine with a 22.3 kN breakout force. It has an onboard charger for general charging, an external quick charger (optional for indoor/outdoor specifications), and a 20-kWh battery array, allowing for 3 - 4 hours of work per charge. The machines come with an integrated onboard, standard charger, and a range of optional, standalone fast chargers for both indoor and outdoor use.

“There is huge interest from customers in Japan for emissions-free, electric construction machines. We’re discussing multiple projects and applications and expect more machines to arrive in 2024. Our company is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2040 as part of our commitment to Science Based Targets. In addition, the Japanese Government is aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2035. We believe that switching to zero-emissions machines can help many industries support the wider, national goals of Japan,” said Shoji Isamu, Head of Market Japan at Volvo CE.

Interested Japanese companies can register their interest via an online portal to get personalized information on the new machine.

Discover more about Volvo machines and services at www.volvoce.com/asia.