Volvo Construction Equipment is showcasing its complete electric product range at bauma 2025 in Munich. The Swedish manufacturer will present electric construction machinery in all performance classes from April 4-10 – from compact electric excavators to heavy articulated dump trucks. While many competitors are still showing prototypes, Volvo CE is bringing series production machines to the trade show booth.
Electric Dump Trucks from 50 Tons in Series Production
The highlight at Volvo's booth: the electric articulated dump trucks of the A series. The A25 Electric and A30 Electric have been in series production for months and are operating on European construction sites. The A25 Electric transports 24 tons of payload, the A30 Electric achieves 28 tons. Battery capacity is 264 kWh, with a range of 6 to 8 operating hours – depending on topography and driving profile.
Volvo CE provides concrete figures on economic viability: Operating costs for the E-dump trucks are 40 to 50 percent lower than comparable diesel machines. At an electricity price of 20 cents per kWh, a battery charge costs around 53 euros. A diesel dump truck consumes fuel costing approximately 100 euros on the same route. According to the manufacturer, the acquisition surcharge amortizes after 4,000 to 5,000 operating hours.
Electric Compact Machines for Inner Cities
In the compact segment, Volvo CE presents the ECR25 Electric, a 2.5-ton mini excavator with lithium-ion battery. The battery has 48 kWh capacity and enables 5 to 6 hours of digging work. Charging time is 8 hours at an 11-kW wallbox, 2 hours at a 22-kW fast charger. The ECR25 Electric is thus ideal for use on inner-city construction sites with strict emission regulations.
Volvo also relies on battery power for wheel loaders. The L25 Electric is a compact 4-ton loader with 3 tons lifting capacity and 87 kWh battery capacity. Operating time is 6 to 8 hours, charging time is 4 hours at a 22-kW charger. The purchase price is approximately 30 percent higher than the diesel equivalent L25H, but maintenance costs are 60 percent lower – no oil changes, no diesel filters, significantly fewer wear parts.
Charging Infrastructure as a Hurdle for Fleet Operators
The electrification of construction sites stands and falls with charging infrastructure. Volvo CE addresses this problem openly: without fast chargers on the construction site, E-machines have limited usability. A 22-kW charger is sufficient for mini excavators and compact wheel loaders. But if you want to charge several heavy dump trucks in parallel, you need connections with 150 to 350 kW – and that comes at a cost. Installing such a charging station costs 50,000 to 100,000 euros.
For construction yards and fixed depots, this is manageable. For changing construction sites, it becomes difficult. Volvo CE therefore offers mobile fast charging systems powered by diesel generators or temporary power lines. An interim solution that partially negates the electric advantage – but still considerably quieter and lower-emission than pure diesel operation.
Volvo CE as a Driver of Electrification
With its electric offensive at bauma 2025, Volvo CE is putting competitors under pressure. While Caterpillar and Komatsu still rely heavily on hybrid drives, the Swedish manufacturer is consistently pursuing the battery-electric route. Liebherr also shows E-machines, but focuses on large equipment in open-pit mining. JCB, on the other hand, is betting on hydrogen drives – a completely different approach.
The question for fleet operators: Is the technology mature enough? Volvo CE points to more than 3,000 E-machines now in the field and over 1.5 million cumulative operating hours. According to the manufacturer, failure rates are below those of comparable diesel machines, and telematics data show high availability. The biggest challenge remains range: For large construction sites with 12-hour shifts and long transport distances, 6 to 8 hours of operating time is not sufficient – unless charging occurs in shifts.
TCO Calculation: E-Drive Pays Off with High Utilization
Total cost of ownership figures support electric – but only under certain conditions. If you use your machines more than 1,500 hours per year, you achieve amortization after 3 to 4 years. With low utilization, it takes 6 to 8 years – by then the battery is often near the end of its service life. Volvo CE guarantees 5,000 charging cycles or 8 years of service life, whichever comes first. Battery replacement costs around 15,000 euros for the ECR25 Electric, up to 80,000 euros for the A30 Electric.
For construction companies, this means: electrification of construction sites is worthwhile especially for fixed locations, high utilization, and local power connections. Those working flexibly on changing construction sites need either mobile charging solutions or stay with diesel. However, pressure from emission regulations in inner cities will increase – and with it, the demand for E-machines.
Outlook: Electric Large Machines from 2026
Volvo CE announces at bauma the further expansion of its electric product range. Starting in 2026, electric crawler excavators from 20 tons operating weight will be available. In the field of earthmoving, the manufacturer is also planning additional models – including electric graders and compaction machines. According to its own statements, the Swedish corporation is investing over 500 million euros in developing alternative drives.
Bauma 2025 shows: Electrification in the construction machinery sector is no longer a vision of the future, but reality. Volvo CE is driving this transformation forward – and forcing competitors to follow suit. For fleet operators, this means: those who don't plan now will fall behind. The technology is here, the economic viability works under certain conditions. Now it's about infrastructure and deployment concepts.
