Volvo CE and Hitachi Energy Partner for Zero-Emission Construction Sites
June 03,2026
On the path to electrification in construction machinery, there is a frequently discussed yet inescapable issue: a single electric excavator or wheel loader indeed achieves zero emissions, but where does the electricity for the entire construction site come from? How should charging stations be distributed? Can the power grid handle it? These "back-end" issues, if not resolved, mean that even with more electric equipment, it is difficult to truly implement and see results.
Recently, Volvo Construction Equipment and Hitachi Energy signed a memorandum of understanding, preparing to join forces to piece together these scattered puzzles - from power supply, charging to energy management, and integrating operations as an integrated system to address the growing demands for sustainable development and production efficiency in the industry, promoting the industry to shift from single technology to integrated, plug-and-play solutions.
Even the best electric equipment must solve "where does the electricity come from"
If you have visited construction sites in recent years, you have likely already seen the presence of electric excavators or electric wheel loaders. Volvo Construction Equipment has made numerous moves in electrification over the years, and its product line is gradually expanding. However, a practical issue is that the "zero emissions" of the equipment does not equate to "zero emissions" on the construction site.
With several or even dozens of electric devices running on the construction site at the same time, how can we ensure they can all be charged in time? Is the charging power sufficient? Can the on-site electrical infrastructure keep up? Will the electrical load during peak construction periods cause circuit breakers to trip? These issues are far more complex than simply replacing an electric device.
Hitachi Energy's strength lies precisely in this area. As a leading player in the global electrification field, Hitachi Energy has accumulated a considerable foundation in power systems, energy management, and system integration. Looking at Volvo Construction Equipment's electric devices and Hitachi Energy's "electrical" capabilities together, things become interesting - one understands the equipment, and the other understands electricity, forming a perfect complement.
It's not just an agreement, but a "package thinking"
The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding, which is not as simple as a piece of paper. According to the agreement, the two companies will jointly assess technologies and business plans for zero-emission construction and manufacturing operations on a non-exclusive basis. In plain terms, we will work together to solve the pain points you encounter with electricity on the construction site.
Specifically, the cooperation will cover four levels: power supply, charging solutions, energy management, and operational integration. In other words, it's not just Volvo selling a few electric excavators and Hitachi Energy selling a few charging stations, each doing their own thing; instead, they sit down together and design a complete plan from the power source to the equipment to operational scheduling based on the entire construction site's electricity needs.
Volvo Construction Equipment President Melker Jernberg has high expectations for this cooperation: "By integrating complementary expertise to provide complete and integrated solutions, we give customers the confidence, assurance, and peace of mind they need to implement zero-emission operations." Hitachi Energy's CEO of Grid Integration Business Niklas Persson pointed out a key change: "As construction electrification and complexity increase, the key to success lies in system-level integration, efficient execution, and partnering with companies like Volvo Construction Equipment to scale up zero-emission construction."
Focus on commercial implementation in the early stage, leaving ample room for technical imagination in the later stage
This cooperation is also quite pragmatic. The agreement clearly states that the initial focus is on business and market orientation, emphasizing the use of a "plug-and-play" approach to help customers simplify the transition to zero-emission construction sites. In short, let customers use it, afford it, and use it well first, without any fancy On the path to electrification in construction machinery, there is a frequently discussed yet inescapable issue: a single electric excavator or wheel loader indeed achieves zero emissions, but where does the electricity for the entire construction site come from? How should charging stations be distributed? Can the power grid handle it? These "back-end" issues, if not resolved, mean that even with more electric equipment, it is difficult to truly implement and see results. Recently, Volvo Construction Equipment and Hitachi Energy signed a memorandum of understanding, preparing to join forces to piece together these scattered puzzles - from power supply, charging to energy management, and integrating operations as an integrated system to address the growing demands for sustainable development and production efficiency in the industry, promoting the industry to shift from single technology to integrated, plug-and-play solutions. Even the best electric equipment must solve "where does the electricity come from" If you have visited construction sites in recent years, you have likely already seen the presence of electric excavators or electric wheel loaders. Volvo Construction Equipment has made numerous moves in electrification over the years, and its product line is gradually expanding. However, a practical issue is that the "zero emissions" of the equipment does not equate to "zero emissions" on the construction site. With several or even dozens of electric devices running on the construction site at the same time, how can we ensure they can all be charged in time? Is the charging power sufficient? Can the on-site electrical infrastructure keep up? Will the electrical load during peak construction periods cause circuit breakers to trip? These issues are far more complex than simply replacing an electric device. Hitachi Energy's strength lies precisely in this area. As a leading player in the global electrification field, Hitachi Energy has accumulated a considerable foundation in power systems, energy management, and system integration. Looking at Volvo Construction Equipment's electric devices and Hitachi Energy's "electrical" capabilities together, things become interesting - one understands the equipment, and the other understands electricity, forming a perfect complement. It's not just an agreement, but a "package thinking" The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding, which is not as simple as a piece of paper. According to the agreement, the two companies will jointly assess technologies and business plans for zero-emission construction and manufacturing operations on a non-exclusive basis. In plain terms, we will work together to solve the pain points you encounter with electricity on the construction site. Specifically, the cooperation will cover four levels: power supply, charging solutions, energy management, and operational integration. In other words, it's not just Volvo selling a few electric excavators and Hitachi Energy selling a few charging stations, each doing their own thing; instead, they sit down together and design a complete plan from the power source to the equipment to operational scheduling based on the entire construction site's electricity needs. Volvo Construction Equipment President Melker Jernberg has high expectations for this cooperation: "By integrating complementary expertise to provide complete and integrated solutions, we give customers the confidence, assurance, and peace of mind they need to implement zero-emission operations." Hitachi Energy's CEO of Grid Integration Business Niklas Persson pointed out a key change: "As construction electrification and complexity increase, the key to success lies in system-level integration, efficient execution, and partnering with companies like Volvo Construction Equipment to scale up zero-emission construction." Focus on commercial implementation in the early stage, leaving ample room for technical imagination in the later stage This cooperation is also quite pragmatic. The agreement clearly states that the initial focus is on business and market orientation, emphasizing the use of a "plug-and-play" approach to help customers simplify the transition to zero-emission construction sites. In short, let customers use it, afford it, and use it well first, without any fancy
Source : www.51cm.org
Views : 5693
Tags : Volvo CE Hitachi Energy electric excav
