First Volvo EC230 Electric in UK powers up airport project
In its first live UK demonstration, the EC230 Electric excavator from Volvo CE – a zero-exhaust emission construction machine – has been put to work by Chepstow Plant International as…
In its first live UK demonstration, the EC230 Electric excavator from Volvo CE – a zero-exhaust emission construction machine – has been put to work by Chepstow Plant International as part of a large-scale public transport interchange transformation for Bristol Airport.
The project, made possible through a collaboration with Volvo dealer SMT in Great Britain has been instrumental in helping all key players analyse the ways of working, infrastructure and enabling conditions needed to support the use of electric machines – while also putting the EC230 Electric through its paces.
As a result of its ability to match heavyweight strength with a more sustainable operation, Chepstow is in active discussions to add the 23-ton excavator to its fleet of Volvo machines.
Ross Hayward, head of Assets and Commercial at Chepstow Plant International, said: “We see this as the first step in our long-term objective to transition away from diesel power, which is why we welcomed the opportunity to work alongside SMT and Volvo CE, as preferred partners on our decarbonisation journey.
“We see a continuous stream of ambition from both customers and suppliers to pursue the sustainability agenda, with mobile plant being a key cornerstone of those ambitions. Initiatives like this are essential in assessing decarbonisation plans, both on a company and sector level.”
The seven-week demonstration was part of a new interchange project for Bristol Airport, to help improve accessibility and public transportation links to and from the airport – with a key focus on sustainability. The airport is already committed to achieving net zero for its own operations by 2030 and working with its entire value chain to reach net zero by 2050.
Hannah Pollard, Head of Sustainability, Bristol Airport said: “The trial with Volvo’s EC230 Electric excavator, in collaboration with Chepstow Plant, supports our sustainability goals to work with our entire value chain to reduce indirect emissions.
“Using more zero emission solutions and sustainable fuels with vehicles onsite, is just one of the many initiatives we’re implementing across our business to achieve this target.”
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