The zero-emissions, near silent ECR25 electric excavator by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) will initially be launched in South Korea, with further roll out planned for China, Japan and Singapore.

The 2.5-t battery electric compact excavator is the first electric machine by a major manufacturer to arrive in the Asian market, according to Volvo CE. The demand for electric equipment has been growing across the region, prompted by stronger emission regulations, government incentives and an urgent desire to build more sustainably.

The company said the ECR25 electric excavator has already proved a success in Europe and North America since it was unveiled in 2019, thanks to the machine’s ability to match power and performance with zero emissions, near silence and a much more comfortable work environment for operators. Korea was chosen as the first market for Asia due to its adoption of new technologies and innovative ways of working – plus its quick response to building an electric charging infrastructure.

Jaetack Lim, head of market Korea at Volvo CE region Asia, said, “Increasingly, authorities are recognising the need to work more sustainably and embrace new technologies that will allow us to tackle our global climate change crisis with equipment that provides less noise, fewer vibrations and no exhaust fumes. We are proud to be leading the charge by being the first major manufacturer to offer electric solutions to a region that is so significant to the global construction equipment market.”

Volvo CE explained that the introduction of the ECR25 to the Asian market represents the next step in the company’s ambition to move its range of compact excavators and wheel loaders to electric, stopping entirely new diesel engine-based development of these models. As such, the market can expect more electric compact equipment to be introduced in the future. The launch also represents Volvo CE’s continued investment into building “the world we want to live in” – with electric solutions forming a major part of that ambition.

The ECR25 electric excavator comes with an integrated on-board charger allowing customers to charge from 0 to 80% in under six hours. With an optional fast off-board charger (380-420 V three phase), it takes just one hour to charge from 0 to 80%. For the most accurate picture, Volvo dealers can calculate the expected operating time and optimum charging solution based on customers’ activities. 

Numerous applications for the electric excavator range from agriculture and landscaping through to utilities and building – with the added benefit that operators can run the machine in noise sensitive areas and out of standard hours, as well as in low-carbon projects and indoors, without the need for costly fume extraction systems.

A reservation tool for customers to order one of these machines is now open.