Leading French contractor Eiffage has taken delivery of the first all-electric Volvo FE Electric truck and Volvo ECR25 Electric compact excavator. The machines support Eiffage’s low carbon strategy and will be used on the ambitious Grand Paris Express transport project in the French capital. This is a rapid transit initiative being built in the French capital that will add 120 miles (200km) of new track and 68 new stations, ultimately serving two million passengers a day.
The handover of Volvo Trucks and Volvo Construction Equipment’s first all-electric products was marked with a small ceremony in Paris. It was attended by Benoit de Ruffray, Eiffage Group CEO, and representative of Volvo Truck and Volvo CE’s France-based teams. Volvo Group CEO Martin Lundstedt, Volvo CE President Melker Jernberg and Volvo Trucks President Roger Alm all participated digitally.
This first delivery in France represents, for both Volvo CE and Volvo Trucks, an important and real step on the way to zero emissions. Thanks to their low noise and vibration levels, and their absence of exhaust gases, electric trucks and machines are well suited to meeting tough environmental regulation in urban areas, confined spaces, or specific works. They offer new opportunities for urbanisation as well as road infrastructures.
Martin Lundstedt, Volvo Group CEO, said: “By 2030, we want over a third of the machines the Volvo Group sells to be electric. We can’t do this alone. We want to do this together with our customers, partners like Eiffage and the wider society. Today is an exciting landmark on this journey to shape the future of transport and infrastructure.”
Melker Jernberg, President of Volvo CE, said: “Today’s deliveries of this electric truck and construction machine is the start of a revolution in transport and infrastructure solutions. Make no mistake, electric machines are not going to remain a niche product area.
“Over the course of the next years and decades they will become the dominant source of low-or-no emission power. When coupled with clean energy, their potential to support climate change goals, improve air quality and help build the world we all want to live in cannot be underestimated. I’m very pleased that we are starting this journey with friends such as Eiffage.”
Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks, said: “The support from forward-thinking customers like Eiffage is important for the future development of sustainable transport solutions. Keeping a close dialogue with customers means that we all learn faster and together can accelerate the necessary transition into a fossil-free future.”
