At North America’s largest construction trade show, CONEXPO-Con/AGG, happening in Las Vegas this week, WiTricity is participating in a demonstration with Volvo Construction Equipment North America and Envision Solar, showcasing what’s possible in the future when construction equipment is not only electric, but powered wirelessly and with solar energy.
While it’s no secret that the automotive industry is moving away from gas-guzzling vehicles to electric, this same shift is happening with construction equipment. Future regulations may even require zero emission construction equipment, paving the way for all-electric construction machinery.
Volvo Construction Equipment North America (Volvo CE) is committed to an electric future. By mid-2020, it will launch a range of electric compact excavators and electric wheel loaders, stopping development of new diesel engine-based compact equipment. Volvo CE introduced its first line of compact, electric equipment with the L25 Electric and ECR25 Electric.
In the future, Volvo CE’s ECR25 Electric compact excavator and other electric construction equipment can be easily equipped with wireless charging technology from WiTricity, to enable a hands-free “park and charge” experience – no plug, no cables, no mess. The electric power for charging is provided by Envision Solar’s EV ARC™ (Electric Vehicle Autonomous Renewable Charger), the world’s only transportable but permanent EV charging infrastructure solution. EV ARC™ is a stand-alone charging station, with solar panels that collect energy when the sun is shining and stores it in a battery so the construction vehicle can be charged at night when it is not in use. The rugged, non-contact wireless charging provided by the WiTricity system reduces maintenance costs and is unaffected by inclement weather or the dust and dirt that is present at a construction site.
This innovative concept can drive construction equipment to a sustainable future with no compromises.
If you’re at the event, check out the Envision Solar display at booth F3432 at the new outdoor Festival Grounds from March 11-14.
