Volvo Construction Equipment and Hitachi Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on accelerating the shift to zero-emission job sites. The partnership focuses on deploying battery electric construction machinery backed by a clean, renewable energy supply, supported by intelligent energy storage and management systems.
The agreement targets the integration of electric equipment with grid infrastructure to ensure reliable, emissions-free operations. Hitachi Energy will provide its expertise in energy storage and smart grid technology, while Volvo CE brings its portfolio of electric excavators, wheel loaders, and compact machines.
No specific financial terms, deployment timelines, or target numbers of machines have been disclosed in the announcement. The MOU outlines a framework for future cooperation rather than a binding commitment, signaling an early-stage exploration of the concept.
Electrek reports the collaboration is part of a broader industry trend toward electrifying heavy construction, though adoption faces hurdles including high battery costs, limited charging infrastructure, and range constraints on large machinery. The companies did not specify which markets or regions the partnership will initially target.
Transitioning construction sites from diesel to electric power could significantly cut emissions from a sector that accounts for roughly 10% of global CO2 output, but the economics and operational viability remain unproven at scale.