28.01.2021

PVE to build Electric crawlers

Dutch contractor VolkerWessels Materieel & Logistiek has announced that it is working with Dutch crane and piling equipment rental specialist PVE Cranes & Services to developing a range of battery powered crawler cranes starting with the 160 tonne lattice boom EC160 which will offer a 43 metre boom and up to 42 metres of luffing jib. The crane will be powered by a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, and electric motors driving the hydraulic pumps.

The battery pack should be good enough to manage a typical eight hour shift before requiring a recharge. It can however also be operated while plugged in and a high power charger can provide a substantial top up during rest breaks. The pack is good for at least 3,000 charging cycles - a life of around 10 years or more - and will carry a five year battery manufacturers warranty.

VolkerWessels has committed to purchase up to the first three units of the EC160 and is already lining up work for the first crane, which it hopes will be ready for delivery by the fourth quarter.
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A PVE crane

PVE is also planning to offer an additional four lattice cranes with 80, 90 100, 135 tonnes capacity as well as three telescopic models with capacities of 65, 80 and 120 tonnes. The purchase cost is likely to average around 10 percent more than a regular diesel crane, which the contractor expects to recoup relatively quickly through lower fuel and maintenance costs.

The contractor already runs a range of fully electric road building machines, such as asphalt spreading machines and rollers, with the investment being part of VolkerWessels' ambition to have a fully carbon neutral equipment fleet by 2026.

Director Dick van de Laar said: “With this investment in 100 percent electric lifting, we are taking a big step towards realising both our sustainable ambitions and those of our clients. The goal is to make the entire equipment fleet available to our customers in a CO2 neutral manner by 2026.”
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(L-R) Dick van de Laar of VolkerWessels with Joost Bömer of PVE and Rob van den Boogaard VolkerWessels - Linders photography

The move follows Liebherr’s launch last month of two larger all electric lattice crawler cranes - the 200 tonne LR 1200.1 Unplugged and 250 tonne LR 1250.1 Unplugged - see: Liebherr unveils electric crawler cranes.

If you speak Dutch you will find the video below interesting and helpful: