Volvo Construction Equipment walks the talk with sustainability demonstration for top U.S. policymakers

• By bringing commercial electric solutions – as well as pioneering prototypes like the Volvo HX04, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell articulated hauler – to the heart of U.S. government, Volvo CE demonstrates that change is already happening.
• But change is not possible without collaboration. The AEM event is a chance to encourage legislators and policymakers to accelerate the infrastructure required to support these solutions.
• Volvo CE steers the way with solutions that form part of its commitment to reach net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Volvo CE played an important role at the Celebration of Construction on the National Mall event, held by the AEM on May 14-16. With its display, it demonstrated that sustainable solutions are available in the here and now, while also showcasing the potential for future technologies. With one of the largest industry line-ups of electric machines, Volvo CE is perfectly positioned to work with policymakers to support and accelerate their deployment.

Ray Gallant, VP Sustainability and Productivity Services at Volvo CE North America (left) with Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President on Infrastructure

Stephen Roy, President of Region North America, Volvo CE, said: “We are delivering the solutions we need to reduce carbon emissions and build a better world, but it is policymakers who are making decisions every day that will impact how the equipment industry will grow. In the U.S., we need federal, state and local governments to ensure the necessary resources are deployed to support the transition to cleaner equipment.”

Solutions for today, like the EC230 Electric excavator, and tomorrow, such as the HX04 fuel cell prototype, were on display.

The AEM event brought together more than 40 construction industry manufacturers and infrastructure-focused organizations to the National Mall, the renowned civic center at the heart of U.S. government in Washington, D.C. Policymakers visiting the Volvo booth included Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor to the President on Infrastructure and Rep. Rick Larsen, Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as a number of senior U.S. representatives and leadership from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ray Gallant (right) with U.S. Representative John Joyce test driving the L20 Electric

The aim of the event was to educate policymakers, as well as the general public, on the societal benefits of modern construction equipment, while urgently driving forward the required collaboration. Volvo CE stated that permitting reform is needed to modernize the electric grid and increase domestic production of critical minerals, while federal and state investments and incentives are needed to help manufacturers remain competitive in tomorrow's markets with reliable and diversified supply chains.

On display at the Volvo CE booth were the L20 Electric and L25 Electric compact wheel loaders, the ECR18 Electric and ECR25 Electric compact excavators, the DD25 Electric asphalt compactor, the mid-size EC230 Electric excavator – one of Volvo CE’s largest electric machines which will be made commercially available in North America in 2024 – and the innovative HX04, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell articulated hauler prototype.

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (right) with, from left, Stephen Roy and Ray Gallant from Volvo CE