VOLVO Construction Equipment’s L120 Electric wheel loader is making its UK debut at Heidelberg Materials UK’s Nuneaton Packed Products site.
The move is part of the company’s commitment to decarbonising operations and follows investment in electric forklifts and vans.
The L120 Electric is replacing its diesel-operated counterpart at the main bagging facility at the site and is being used to move sand and aggregate as part of the production process.
The wheel loader has been supplied by Volvo, with ongoing support from SMT GB, which has also installed the chargers and provided training for operators.
“The L120 Electric is performing very well,” said Marian Garfield, sustainability director at Heidelberg Materials UK. “As well as being emission-free, it is eight times quieter than the diesel alternative and provides operatives with increased responsiveness and power.
“The battery run time has also been good, easily handling a normal 7.5-hour shift on one charge and with around 30% remaining.”
This project is not the first time that Heidelberg Materials UK, Volvo and SMT have worked together on sustainable solutions. Last year, they refurbished a 14-year-old Volvo L350F wheel loader at Heidelberg Materials’ Ribblesdale cement works, extending the life of the machine rather than manufacturing a new one.
