Construction Equipment
Asia
Following Japan’s first two Volvo electric models released last year, Volvo Construction Equipment has launched its third electric model, the EC230 Electric excavator. The machine was unveiled at the Construction & Survey Productivity Improvement EXPO (CSPI-EXPO) on May 22, representing a significant milestone in Japan's journey toward achieving zero-emission electric construction machinery.
The EC230 Electric excavator is a battery-powered, medium-sized hydraulic excavator in the 20-ton class, the most popular product category in the country. After its introduction in North America and selected European markets, the EC230 Electric excavator landed in Japan as the first of its kind in Asia, with five units scheduled to be sold nationwide.
The machine is commercially available through Volvo CE’s Japanese dealer Yamazaki Machinery. Among the available units, Japan’s Nishio Rent All has already purchased two units with a plan to start renting the machinery, with an additional unit scheduled to be delivered to a major Japanese construction company.
Before its introduction in North America and selected European markets, Volvo CE piloted the EC230 Electric excavator in China in 2021. During the two-month pilot project, the EC230 Electric excavator worked in real-world applications to gather as much feedback as possible on the product and technology from the customer’s perspective.
“In Japan, customers' interest in zero-emission electric construction equipment is considerably high, and the launch and market introduction of the EC230 Electric excavator at the CSPI-EXPO proves Volvo CE’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2040. Volvo CE Japan has received positive customer feedback since introducing the first electric machines to the market in 2023. With the addition of the EC230 Electric excavator, we hope to expand our customer base further, offering a refreshed option to meet the needs of the Japanese market,” said Shoji Isamu, Head of Market Japan at Volvo CE.
Technical details
The EC230 Electric excavator inherits the technology of the Volvo EC230 crawler excavator with a conventional diesel engine while combining the advantages of robust power and a new electric power unit. The electric motor improves hydraulic responsiveness. This contributes to an improved working environment in the cabin and construction site.
With an operating machine weight of 23,000 to 26,100 kg and a bucket capacity of 0.48 to 1.44 m³, the EC230 Electric excavator has a lifting capacity of 7,560 kg. It can also excavate to a depth of 6,730 mm with a digging reach of 9,930 mm. The machine width is 2,990 mm, and the tail swing radius is up to 2,850 mm. The EC230 Electric excavator has a battery capacity of 264 kWh, a battery voltage of 600 V, and an operating time of up to 5 hours, depending on the application.
Discover more about Volvo machines and services at www.volvoce.com/asia.