Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced its intention to continue the shift towards electric hauling solutions by investing approximately $32.7m into its production facility in Braås, Sweden between now and 2027.
The facility, which specialises in the design and manufacture of articulated haulers for the global market, produced the world’s first fossil-free construction machine, an A30G, which was delivered to Swedish construction company, NCC earlier this year.
As part of the investment the factory is expected to be adapted over the coming years to enable it to produce a larger range of articulated haulers with different types of powertrain to reflect the shift in demand towards equipment with more sustainable power sources. 
In early September 2022, Volvo CE and Brio joined forces to inspire budding engineers.
The investment will also be used to extend production capacity at the 45,000m2 site in southern Sweden to broaden the product range going forwards, with the addition of new buildings and production equipment.
In addition, Volvo CE will invest in automation and ergonomics to both reduce the need for employees to engage in repetitive tasks and create a safer work environment.
“The transport and construction industry is undergoing a transformation with, among other things, an increasing number of electrified vehicles,” says Jonas Lakhall, Site Manager at Volvo CE in Braås.
Later in September 2022, Volvo CE said it had upgraded its L25 electric wheel loader.
“This investment will enable us to adapt and extend our production facility, so that we can offer a broader range of machines, with different powertrains, to our customers and help them meet their emission reduction ambitions. It is important for us to continue to be at the forefront and make clear decisions to meet our Science Based Target commitment to achieve Net Zero value chain emissions by 2040. By adapting our production for electric machines, we are progressing along our electrification roadmap.”
In late October 2022, the company said it would produce battery modules in Ghent by 2025.
