Volvo CE Details Fuel-Saving Benefits Of EC300E Hybrid Crawler Excavator; CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 Appearance Scheduled

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Volvo CE plans to display its new EC300E Hybrid crawler excavator at the upcoming CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show in March. (Photo courtesy of Volvo.)

The CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 trade show happening March 10 to 14 in Las Vegas is where you’ll want to be to get an up-close look at Volvo CE’s new EC300E Hybrid excavator crawler, now available for order in North America. The crawler stems from Volvo CE’s conventional 241-horsepower (180-kilowatt) EC300E large excavator, but takes what Volvo says is a simple yet novel hydraulic hybrid approach to reducing fuel consumption by up to 15% and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 12% compared to that model.

“Uncomplicated Capability”

To produce those savings, Volvo says the EC300E Hybrid captures the “free” energy the regular boom-down motion produces to charge 5.2-gallon (20-liter) hydraulic accumulators. Those deliver the energy to power hydraulic assist motors that help power the hydraulic pump. All this occurs with the same levels of control and performance provided by the conventional EC300E, including the ability to function in ECO and Hybrid modes simultaneously. The approach differs from other systems that obtain the swing energy of an excavator’s superstructure to electrically assist the engine, Volvo adds.

“All this simple and uncomplicated capability takes load off the engine, and in the process, delivers up to 15% lower fuel consumption and 12% less CO2 emissions than a conventional machine,” the manufacturer says. “When used in high-production ‘dig and dump’ applications—especially those within a 90-degree swing— the fuel-saving payback is approximately two years, and all with no loss of performance.” Further, Volvo says the componentry at work is also simple, with only a few add-on components involved that are easy to maintain and repair. Volvo notes that its hybrid system isn’t available for aftermarket installation at this time.

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The EC300E uses what Volvo says is simple hybrid technology to reduce fuel consumption by up to 15% compared to a conventional EC300E. (Photo courtesy of Volvo.)

12-Month Payback

To illustrate the ROI owners can see with the EC300E Hybrid, Volvo says based on an operation exhausting 20 liters of fuel per hour for nine hours a day for 22 days a month across 12 months, the technology “will pay itself back within 12 months with 17% fuel-efficiency improvement.”

Source: Volvo

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