Maintaining communities inevitably leads to construction works, and integrating sustainable equipment and technologies has many benefits for residents.
Australia’s councils all undertake significant capital works programs every year. In 2022-23, Victorian councils alone spent approximately $4.15 billion on capital works, and these figures will only continue to rise nationwide as populations grow.
The scale of works to be undertaken is huge, and councils need to look to construction solutions that minimise the impact on communities and manage costs in a responsible manner.
One of the first steps councils can take to manage costs and deliver capital projects more effectively is by looking closely at the construction equipment they use.
Volvo Construction Equipment, through its distribution partner CJD Equipment, has a range of options to suit every council around Australia.
Transforming construction
Volvo Construction Equipment’s mini excavator technology is part of a remarkable transformation in construction equipment. The ECR18 and ECR25 electric excavators match their diesel counterparts’ digging power while helping the environment, working actively for up to four hours per charge and excelling in urban construction projects.
The ECR25 electric dominates the electric construction equipment market, working efficiently even in tough conditions. The ECR18 electric meanwhile uses just 5.6 kWh of energy to dig a 20-metre trench.
These excavators also let crews work in noise-sensitive areas without expensive fume extraction systems. Their charging speed impresses too – they reach 80 per cent capacity in just one hour, which keeps downtime low.
The power of electric
Electric mini excavators mark a fundamental change in construction equipment design, bringing together groundbreaking engineering and eco-friendly solutions.
The machines use lithium-ion batteries and dedicated electric motors instead of conventional diesel engines, and as a result, there’s a wider range of jobs that excavators can take on.
Their smaller size means they can manoeuvre into once hard-to-reach locations; and because operating them produces significantly less noise than diesel machines, construction teams can work at night in populated areas.
This helps reduce traffic congestion during busy hours, and the lower noise level also means that workers can communicate better during a job, guiding operators while staying at safe distances.
In areas with strict environmental rules, particularly around low emissions, the machines can run without any limits. Around the world, the combination of reduced noise and lower emissions has made the ECR18 and ECR25 electric excavators a popular choice where noise and emission controls are strict.
The fact that the mini excavators run without fume extraction systems means they can be used efficiently and effectively in enclosed spaces, totally changing the excavation market.
Team members operating these machines also breathe cleaner air and feel less tired after their shifts, an important benefit for council employees.
The excavators can achieve this while packing the same power as diesel ones, so there’s no drop in performance during tough demolition jobs.
Changing the excavation game
Volvo’s ECR18 and ECR25 electric mini excavators showcase exceptional performance metrics and impressive cost benefits. These machines match their diesel counterparts in power and cut energy costs by up to 48 per cent; and they work well in noise-sensitive areas with zero emissions, making them perfect for urban construction projects.
These excavators take construction operations into the future. Their smart technology and telematics fit perfectly with smart city needs, a consideration for many councils.
The ECR18 and ECR25 electric models prove that eco-friendly construction equipment still delivers top performance and productivity. Their success in urban settings, plus economic and environmental advantages, makes them ideal solutions for modern construction projects.
Construction professionals can test drive one of the mini excavators at their local CJD Equipment Branch.
To learn more, visit cjd.com.au
