In an industry where we see a steady stream of prototypes sometimes leading to nothing — or taking years to come to market — things happen fast when it comes to Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and electrification.

In a story we've been following for a while, Volvo showed a prototype electric ADT at Bauma just over a year ago. Production began in April of this year. 

And now there's a customer delivery of four machines, no less. Wow.

Volvo CE has delivered its first A30 Electric articulated haulers to LNS (Leonhard Nilsen & Sønner AS) for use on a Hafslund, Norway, hydropower project.

As with most of Europe, Norway is concerned about greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonization.

The A30 Electric is part of Volvo CE’s growing portfolio of battery-electric machines and is the world's first serial produced electric articulated hauler in its size class, built to delivered zero-emission performance in demanding applications.

A total of four A30 Electric articulated haulers have been delivered, with a further three scheduled to follow next month. The machines will be used by LNS, one of Norway’s largest contractors, on behalf of Hafslund Kraft AS, for the construction of the Hemsil 3 power plant in the Hallingdal region, spanning the Hemsedal and Gol municipalities.

Huge hydro project

The project, expected to be completed in 2029, will increase annual energy production by around 110 GWh. To help reduce project-related greenhouse gas emissions, electric equipment such as the Volvo A30 Electric will play a key role in construction.

The machines made the 700-km journey from Volvo CE’s Braås site in Sweden, where they are produced, to the Hemsil 3 site on Volvo trucks, traveling through Norway’s mountain landscape to reach the hydropower site in Hallingdal.

Choosing the right ADT for the job

“Hafslund has a strong environmental focus and takes a forward-leaning approach to electrifying construction operations on our projects," says Lars Oust, project manager at Hafslund Kraft. "To succeed in the green transition, we need to adopt new technology and take the lead as a client, driving demand for this type of equipment. That’s why being the first in the world to use electric haulers is so important to us.”

The machines will be used in the construction of an approximately 20 km tunnel, where their zero-emission operation makes them suited for enclosed and sensitive working environments.

Electric reactions

"The project is a strong fit for this type of machine. We’ll be working in tunnels with blasting cycles, which allow time for charging between runs. That makes electric haulers particularly well suited to the work here,” says Steffen Solstrand Ludvigsen, project site manager at LNS.

Przemysla Wessel, from LNS and one of the first operators to use the A30 Electric in a customer project, says: “It was a really special experience. Being among the first to operate this electric hauler was something new for me. It was smooth, comfortable, and easy to use — I truly enjoyed the first run. This feels like a step into the future.”

The machines were supplied and will be supported by Volvo CE’s dealer in Norway, Volvo Maskin AS. 

“LNS has been pushing for electric haulers for several years, so it’s fantastic to see them now in operation," says David Kristiansund, head of operations at Volvo Maskin AS. "Together with forward-leaning customers and clients, Norway is leading the way, with strong demand for zero-emission solutions.”