Volvo L20 Electric wheel loader exceeding expectations of Kiwi landscaper 

Volvo has delivered the first of its L20 Electric wheel loaders to New Zealand, with a leading landscape manufacturer putting it through its paces in an early pilot program. The verdict: Volvo’s new electric loader is exceeding expectations!

Landscape manufacturing firm Intelligro – located near Christchurch, New Zealand – makes and sells a variety of landscaping, gardening, and civil engineering supplies. Part of that business involves growing massive amounts of mulches, sands, and soil mixes for both residential and commercial customers across the South Island. The group pride itself on delivering top quality products and excellent service for their customers. And it’s no stranger to heavy equipment, either, operating sixteen loaders at its primary job site.

When it was time to retire one of their conventional diesel loaders recently, the company decided to “take the plunge” on a new Volvo L20 Electric. The results have taken them by surprise.

“At first, I was a little bit skeptical,” explains Andrew ‘AJ’ Mahuika, Retail Crew Supervisor at Intelligro. “I thought that being electric it wouldn’t have the same power or capabilities as our traditional wheel loaders. However, it’s proven to be exactly the same and it’s probably one of the most comfortable loaders I’ve driven. I think it exceeded everyone’s expectations in terms of its functionality. It’s very much been business as usual.”

Intelligro has been using its new Volvo L20 Electric in its retail yard to load soft materials for its landscape commercial trade customers. The company says its quiet, precise operation has improved the experience for its customers, as well as the machine’s operators.

“It doesn’t drive any different to any of the other loaders we use,” continues AJ, who also about remarked reduced vibration. “Being electric, it is noticeably a lot quieter. It basically produces zero noise.”

The company gets about 6 hours of continuous operation from the L20 Electric. More than enough, in other words, to put in a full day of work. “Unlike diesel machines, electric machines have zero idling time,” explains Volvo. “(That) means if you stop working, the machine stops working too, saving valuable battery life.”

Volvo L20 Electric wheel loader

“The trial of the Volvo L20 Electric wheel loader at Intelligro is important to show the significant role our electric machines can play in the landscaping sector,” explains Bertrand Collette, Head of Market Area Oceania at Volvo CE. “(That’s) an industry that is all about creating and enhancing beautiful environments from the ground up … we hope that, by sharing Intelligro’s experience, we can inspire others to see how electric solutions might fit in their organizations and help them achieve their sustainability goals.”

The Volvo L20 Electric was supplied to Itellegro by their local dealer, TDX, who has provided initial training sessions and ongoing support to the operators.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo.