Partnering for change with cities and municipalities

The City of Helsinki is leading the way towards low-emission worksites. When building a bicycle and pedestrian road, they demanded a compact electric excavator but offered a bonus if a bigger electric excavator could be found. The 23-tonne EC230 Electric has not only excelled on this requirement, but has excelled in performance. And while only the first large electric excavator it has worked with, the city now has the confidence to work with more electric construction equipment in the future.

The City of Helsinki is part of a voluntary Green Deal commitment in Finland for emission free construction sites. Similar to the European Commission’s Green Deal, it sets an ambitious target towards reduced emissions by 2030. This voluntary Green Deal encourages players across construction, climate work, public procurement, municipalities and the Ministry of the Environment to work together to set standards towards fossil-free worksites. The agreement aims to reduce emissions from machines and construction sites and supports the implementation and site-specific application of environmental requirements that realize this goal. It is also a key contributor towards Finland’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2035.

The electrification of construction will help to achieve reduced greenhouse gas emissions, cut harmful noise and air pollution and play a central role in sustainable community building. As such, it is important to have solutions that are capable of carrying out a variety of different tasks and applications. Mid-size construction machines are general purpose tools that are ideal for work in cities and municipalities. Solutions like the EC230 Electric excavator and L120 Electric wheel loader have the high performing power to get the tough jobs done but with a reduced impact on the environment.

Partnership with municipalities towards fossil free construction sites really does work. The redevelopment of an old meat packing district called Slakthusområdet in the heart of Stockholm, Sweden, seemed like an ambitious project back in 2022 when it set out its aims towards fossil-fuel free construction equipment. But the results have not only proved how successful these solutions are in reducing emissions but also how easily they can be integrated into worksites.

To make changes towards a more sustainable future, you need to know where you are starting from. Volvo CE has revealed the most extensive catalogue of Product Carbon Footprint reports of its machines in order to provide customers with the data they need to then take action on carbon. Thanks to a detailed methodology, developed in-house by experts, there is true transparency on the carbon footprint of each Volvo product, from the beginning to the end of its lifecycle. In this way, you have a simple baseline to decarbonize. What is more, the reports reveal that electric machines are a more sustainable choice than diesel, even when you consider the whole lifecycle of its production, including battery manufacturing.

When 14 of the largest public developers in Denmark gathered to sign a letter of intent that would demand zero emission construction equipment be added to their tenders and projects, it set a benchmark for others to be inspired by and to follow. It signified that the shift to emission free machines can be accelerated through like-minded partnership and strong commitments. Zero exhaust emission construction will not only help lower CO2, but also bring greater public health benefits through reduced noise and air pollution. The letter of intent was the result of analysis by the Center for Offentlif-Privat Innovation (CO-PI) which revealed that switching from diesel to electric is good for the climate but also leads to fewer deaths and hospitalisations.

Cities have a huge responsibility to reduce their emissions - as one of the largest drivers of environmental impact globally. One of the best ways to take action is through the Science Based Targets initiative which provides a framework and guidance to make step changes towards climate neutrality. It is a collective commitment towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By first recognising the role that local and national governments, along with other stakeholders, play in driving change, only then can positive progress be made.

The benefits of collaboration across the value chain are proved in the Electric Worksite project - which brought together multiple players from manufacturing, energy and government sectors in Gothenburg, Sweden, to build a viable case for the use of electric construction equipment in city planning. The project tested the needs and opportunities for machines, energy supply and infrastructure in urban applications - with the result that fossil-fuel free construction is proved entirely possible through careful planning.

Cities are often at the front line of sustainability commitments, especially as increased urbanisation has an impact on our planet’s environmental stability. Those who do not join in the fight against climate change, will fall behind. It requires municipalities to take a holistic view of the whole electric ecosystem and consider every impact from technology and infrastructure through to energy supply and policy and incentives. It is clear therefore that those cities with climate targets need to have electric machines. With the building and construction sector representing some 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions, it is evident that zero exhaust emission solutions will go a long way to reducing construction’s carbon impact.

Reducing carbon emissions is not only good for the long-term future of our planet, but it also has a huge positive impact on public health thanks to improved air and water quality, as well as enhanced biodiversity. What is more, the near silence of electric equipment provides a more peaceful environment for those living and working nearby, ensuring added health benefits. Protecting urban environments in this way will have knock-on effects for the mental and physical well-being of cities’ inhabitants.

There is no one size fits all answer when it comes to charging solutions. That is why a range of versatile charging options can be considered - from fast chargers through to slower overnight chargers - so that you find the best solution to suit your requirements and power supply. Whether you have on-street access to EV charging points or you require mobile power units to support electric construction in places where there is weak grid access, there is a solution for you.