Volvo CE sees major efficiency gain from hybrid-electric wheel loader

Volvo Construction Equipment partnered with Waste Management (WM), the California Energy Commission and CALSTART to put its LX1 prototype electric hybrid wheel loader to the test: field test, that is. The company showcased the LX1 at a media event in July at WM's Redwood Landfill in Novato, CA.

Made up of 98% new parts, the LX1 prototype series hybrid has a fundamentally new machine design. It incorporates a driveline that consists of electric-drive motors mounted at the wheels, electric-driven hydraulics, a battery energy storage system, a significantly smaller diesel engine and new machine architecture including a new design of the lifting unit.