Concrete mixer trucks are essential for transporting ready-mix concrete to construction sites but also contribute to air pollution and noise levels. That's why Volvo Trucks and Cemex, a global leader in building materials, have teamed up to develop and deploy the world's first fully electric heavy-duty concrete mixer truck.
Based on the Volvo FMX Electric designed for the construction industry, the vehicle was delivered to Cemex's ready-mix concrete plant in Berlin-Spandau on February 9th. The electric truck will deliver concrete to customers in urban areas, where low emissions and low noise are especially important.
"The electrification of such concrete mixers is a challenge due to the heavy loads and the continuous mixing processes," explained Volvo Trucks. "As transport with commercial electric vehicles gradually increases, Volvo Trucks and Cemex are working to develop and scale up the technologies necessary to make zero-emission transport a reality even in the demanding construction industry."
The Volvo FMX Electric concrete mixer truck has four battery packs with a total energy capacity of 360 kWh. Depending on the application, this should be enough for a whole working day or can be supplemented by charging during regular breaks. The vehicle is powered by two electric motors with a total output of 330 kW (449 hp). The locally emission-free concrete mixer has a capacity of nine cubic meters and also draws its energy from the high-voltage batteries of the Volvo FMX Electric.