VOLVO Construction Equipment has commenced customer testing of the first ever EC500 Electric pre-build machine in Norway.
Equipped with both battery and grid-connected capability, including a 35m cable reel, the 50-tonne class machine – designed to deliver the same performance as the conventional EC500 –Â is being tested in demanding applications to help refine the final product development.
With onboard battery capacity, the EC500 Electric can move, load and unload, relocate for blasting, or continue working without grid connection. Combined with intelligent grid energy management, the battery system can also support peak shaving and adapt to varying grid conditions, reducing the need for high-capacity grid infrastructure, helping customers lower investment costs and increase the feasibility of electric power, while maintaining the performance required from a 50-tonne class machine.
Volvo said customer input is ‘central’ to the development of the EC500 Electric. By testing the machine in live working environments, the manufacturer is able to gather detailed feedback on machine behavioir, performance, charging and grid connection, operator experience and practical site integration.
The machine is currently being put to work across a range of demanding applications, including quarrying, road building and tunnel projects. Insights from the customer testing programme in Norway will feed directly into the final development of the product.
The EC500 Electric is expected to be on sale from spring 2027, with serial delivery from the end of 2027.
