51 Volvo Construction Equipment | Digest Tooling up Heavy-duty off-highway vehicles usually need large amounts of power to operate essential tools that are predominantly hydraulically operated today. There is a wide variety of such vehicles characterised by different power profiles, force densities (for example, the requirement to apply immense, concentrated force) and duty cycles. They also present different levels of complexity when it comes to integrating them with the vehicle’s power source. These differences fundamentally affect the ease or otherwise of converting or re-engineering them for electric power. In the early stages of electrification, the solution to this problem has been to electrify hydraulic pumps so that existing tools can be used unmodified, although direct electric actuation is gradually making its way into this space. When it comes to phasing out hydraulics for tools and accessories, the company is keeping its options open. “Our roadmap does not commit to a single path; instead, we are pursuing both electrified hydraulic solutions and full electromechanical actuation in parallel because each approach has distinct advantages and constraints.” In 2017, Volvo CE demonstrated a fully electric excavator concept, EX02, with a complete electromechanical actuation chain. “That concept clearly showed the efficiency gains, noise reduction and environmental benefits of removing hydraulic oil entirely. Electromechanical actuators offer superior energy utilisation, improved controllability and the potential for significant maintenance reduction,” he notes. He cautions, however, that there are still significant hurdles to clear, including the maturing of an entire ecosystem of electric tools in areas such as availability, cost and validation of long-term durability. Furthermore, hydraulic systems powered by electric pumps remain an attractive mid-term solution. “Hydraulics remain a proven, robust and cost-effective technology with excellent force density and smooth operation,” he says. “When combined with high-efficiency electric pumps and smart control strategies, E-pump architectures can deliver significant gains in overall system efficiency without requiring a complete shift to electromechanical actuation.” In this light, the company’s decision on whether to use electric or hydraulic tools on a particular vehicle model depends on application requirements, cost targets, supply chain readiness and expected performance. “We anticipate coexistence of both solutions for the foreseeable future, with the optimal choice depending on machine class, duty cycle and customer priorities.” Autonomous focus As with data gathering and operational software, electrification is also a good fit for automation and autonomy. Volvo CE has long been a pioneer in autonomous machinery, starting with early concept projects like the autonomous, batteryelectric load carriers (HX1 and the later HX2) showcased in Gothenburg, he notes. “These innovations demonstrated how automation could transform off-road productivity, safety and sustainability.” To bring the technology to commercial scale, the Volvo Group established Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS), a dedicated business area focused on developing and industrialising autonomous transport and worksite systems. “The creation of VAS has significantly influenced the electrical and network architecture of Volvo CE machines. Autonomy demands exceptionally reliable power and communication, driving the adoption of redundant electrical domains, backup energy systems and parallel compute paths to ensure that safety critical functions such as steering and braking remain fully operational, even in the event of a failure.” The future of the construction industry, therefore, will be one in which it is served by a variety of electrified machines including BEVs and FCEVs, each dominating in specific application niches based on a matrix of power, energy and infrastructure needs, and characterised by increasing levels of automation and autonomy. E-Mobility Engineering | January/February 2026 Transportable containerised charging systems based on large capacity battery packs, such as the PU500, enable off-grid and off-peak charging on worksites
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