Volvo CE, SMT, Pascon, and Vattenfall collaborate to install EV charging infrastructure
A partnership between Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), SMT, Pascon, and Vattenfall IDNO has seen the organizations collaborating to build a net zero future by looking at their entire value chain and ensuring a low carbon footprint for the construction and installation of electric vehicle charging points at a Volvo Cars dealership at Shrewsbury, U.K.
In a step toward reducing fossil fuel emissions in construction, the electrical infrastructure was installed using a Volvo ECR25 Electric compact excavator from Volvo CE and supplied by SMT. Delivering the same performance as its diesel counterpart, the machine produces zero emissions and provides a more comfortable work environment for everyone nearby due to reduced sounds and vibrations.
Electric machines like the ECR25 Electric play a key role in Volvo's ability to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Vattenfall, the independent distribution network operator, has been contracted by Pascon, an independent connection provider, to take ownership of the high voltage cables from the grid connection point to the low voltage supply point for the electric vehicle charging points.
"We believe in the power of partnership to accelerate our goals towards a carbon neutral future," says Darren Fitch, head of U.K. sales area at Volvo CE. "A global transition to electric vehicles powered by renewable energy is fundamental to those ambitions, so it is great to see a more sustainable way of working in place right from the beginning: building the electric infrastructure we need with electric construction machines like our ECR25 Electric. It is clear that by working together with forward-thinking partners like Vattenfall and Pascon, we can build the world we want to live in, the right way."
"Vattenfall works with our partners to reduce carbon emissions wherever possible, and we are delighted to be working with Volvo CE and Pascon on this innovative project," says Stewart Dawson, managing director at Vattenfall. "Partnerships like this are important to enable us to meet the climate challenge. By connecting Pascon with SMT, the suppliers of the electric digger, we have been able to reduce emissions from the installation of our cabling and the other on-site works.
"Electrification of transport is core to our strategy to power climate smarter living. As demand for electric vehicle charging grows, our strengthened, smart, electricity networks are going to be the thread that ties the whole plan for reaching net zero together."
"At Pascon Utility Connections we are aware that the construction sector is responsible for approximately 25 percent of global greenhouse gases," says Dan Arkell, business development manager at Pascon Utility Connections. "As a company we are always looking for innovative opportunities to minimize any effect that our operations have on the environment, so we are excited to work with Volvo CE as they bring electric excavators into site work. The building and construction industry is notoriously slow to adapt to change and we all know the use of electric vehicles is one of the many ways we can all move towards decarbonization. Pascon Utility Connections have a goal of working towards a net zero transition and we hope other companies also see the benefits of utilizing the emerging electric plant market."
