Electric wheel loaders are on par with diesel-powered machines in Norwegian tunnels.
New findings from two of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s major tunnel projects show that electric wheel loaders are now capable of handling some of the construction industry’s most demanding tasks. In the Rismålsheittunnel outside Bodø, a fully electric XCMG wheel loader is being used to haul out blasted rock, with performance on par with comparable diesel machines.
Battery power has long been a challenge for the very largest construction machines. Charging times and battery capacity have limited the ability to work long shifts performing energy-intensive tasks. Experience from the E6 Megården–Sommerset project in Nordland and the E134 Røldal–Seljestad project in Vestland now shows that the technology has made significant strides forward.
XCMG performs on par with diesel engines
In the Rismålsheittunnel, northeast of Bodø, Skanska Norway has been using a fully electric XCMG XC9108-EV since May to unload blasted rock. The wheel loader weighs about 40 metric tons and is equipped with a 700-kWh battery.
According to Skanska, the machine’s performance is on par with that of diesel-powered wheel loaders; in some situations, it is even better. The machine has a 700-kWh battery and is charged overnight and during the two meal breaks in a shift. After a 12-hour shift, less than 30 percent of the battery capacity rarely remains.
The experience has been so positive that Skanska has now ordered another all-electric XCMG wheel loader, the XC9150-EV, weighing just over 60 metric tons.
Better air quality, lower costs
One of the major advantages of battery power in tunnels is the work environment. When the diesel engine is eliminated, the amount of exhaust fumes and particulate matter is reduced, which contributes to better air quality for those working in the tunnel.
There are also economic arguments in favor of electrification. According to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, a large wheel loader can consume up to 1,000 liters of diesel during a 12-hour shift, which means that energy costs could be significantly reduced by switching to electric power.
Experiences that may influence future requirements
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration aims to reduce emissions from its construction projects by 55 percent between 2020 and 2030. The lessons learned from Norwegian tunnel projects will therefore be important as the agency evaluates the requirements for emission-free construction sites in the future.
For us at Elvate, these results are a clear example of how far the electrification of heavy construction equipment has come. From the 40-metric-ton XC9108-EV to the even larger XC9150-EV, this development shows just how quickly electric construction equipment is advancing. Today, all-electric operation is an option even for some of the industry’s most demanding tasks.
Learn more at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration
Read the article in *Anleggsmaskinen*
