Volvo CE tests electric EC230 excavator at Brazilian quarry

Volvo CE has begun field testing its EC230 Electric excavator, a 23‑ton class machine, at the Caxiense Fagundes quarry in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The unit is the first of its model to operate in the country and is part of Volvo CE’s global strategy to achieve zero‑CO₂ emissions from its equipment by 2040. According to José Fernando Fagundes, executive director of Fagundes Construção e Mineração, the electric excavator delivers performance that meets or exceeds that of diesel‑powered machines, while offering silent operation, reduced vibration and instant torque. Its battery system allows continuous work throughout the day with recharging performed overnight or during shift breaks. Volvo CE already supplies other electric machines in Brazil, including the L120 medium‑size loader, the compact L25 loader and the ECR25 compact excavator, expanding its electric‑equipment portfolio for earth‑moving, waste handling and recycling applications.