25 June 2024:

The second round of data and feedback from Fulton Hogan and TDX’s trial of a fully electric 20-tonne Volvo JL120 at the Reliable Way Asphalt Recycling Plant reveals financial savings for the energy consumed of between 64.5% and 78.7%.

Since December 2023, the team at the plant has been working with Volvo and Volvo distributor TDX to test the Southern Hemisphere’s first medium-sized fully electric Volvo loader.

The trial compared the electric JL120 with a 20-tonne diesel Volvo L120H, with average diesel consumption of 10.05 l/h, across three diesel price points — $1.50, $2.00 and $2.50 per litre. The electricity cost used for the trial was $0.21 per KW/h.

1. NB. Electricity and diesel prices fluctuate and reflect individual companies’ commercial arrangements. The energy cost is also only one financial consideration in moving to electrification. The trial was held during the summer – colder winter conditions tend to reduce the performance of battery-driven equipment. The savings will depend on the particular application – quarry work, for example can be more power intensive than a RAP plant.

TDX‘s Regional Sales Manager, Andrew Falloon, says the reduced energy cost revealed by the trial exceeded TDX’s expectations.

“While it’s important to note that fuel cost is only one – albeit important – part of the equation, these results point to potentially major longer-term financial benefits, alongside the environmental considerations.”

Mr Falloon says key factors in the longer-term calculation of the financial merits of electric versus diesel loaders include the costs of installing a charging station and of the loader itself. The charging station’s effective cost depends, among other things, on the site’s existing electrical capacity and distance from existing mains electricity and the number of machines using it for recharging (utility). As the electric JL120 is not yet commercially available, no price has been released for it.

The first round of findings on the new electric loader, in May, focused on the battery life, usability and power. Key findings were:

1. Battery

There was no need to change work scheduling vis-à-vis using an equivalently powered diesel machine, as a result of longer-than-anticipated battery life. A full charge was sufficient for all but two extra-large workdays in the RAP plant application. The 240KW charging station charged the JL120’s 282KW/H battery in around 80 minutes, however it is advisable to allow the machine to charge during normal work breaks – the charger can provide a 42% recharge to the battery during a 30-minute break. This allows for a longer shifting if needed, and minimises ‘range anxiety’ for the operator. For continuous operation, opportunity charging would be required, or the use of a second machine.

2. Operator

Operators found the JL120 quieter, more responsive than a diesel L120H, with smoother and faster gear changing and with power equivalent to a L120H. The machine’s quietness is also important given Reliable Way’s residential neighbours.

The Reliable Way Asphalt Recycling Plant has a track record in electrification. In late 2022 the plant introduced the Southern Hemisphere’s first Keestrack electric crusher and a 30-tonne hybrid Volvo EC300EL excavator.

Terms of Reference: JL120 electric loader vs L120H diesel loader comparison