Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has delivered the world’s first A30 Electric articulated haulers to LNS (Leonhard Nilsen & Sønner AS), one of Norway’s largest contractors, for use on a Hafslund hydropower project, representing a significant advance in the electrification of heavy equipment.
The deployment at a Norwegian hydroelectric power plant highlights how zero-emission solutions can support more sustainable infrastructure and energy production. The electric ADTs have significant potential in the mining and quarrying sector as well – and LNS is also a major player in the contract mining market; it is set to deploy a number of Volvo machines at Blue Moon Metals’ Nussir underground copper project in Hammerfest including several L180F wheel loaders and two EWR170E excavators.
The A30 Electric is part of Volvo CE’s growing portfolio of battery-electric machines and is the world’s first serial produced electric articulated hauler in its size class, delivering zero-emission performance in demanding applications.
A total of four A30 Electric articulated haulers has been delivered, with a further three scheduled to follow next month. The machines will be used by LNS, on behalf of Hafslund Kraft AS, for the construction of the Hemsil 3 power plant in the Hallingdal region, spanning the Hemsedal and Gol municipalities.
The project, expected to be completed in 2029, will increase annual energy production by around 110 GWh. To help reduce project-related greenhouse gas emissions, electric equipment such as the Volvo A30 Electric will play a key role in construction.
The machines made the 700 km journey from Volvo CE’s Braås site in Sweden, where they are produced, to the Hemsil 3 site on Volvo trucks, travelling through Norway’s mountain landscape to reach the hydropower site in Hallingdal.
Lars Oust, Project Manager at Hafslund Kraft, said: “Hafslund has a strong environmental focus and takes a forward-leaning approach to electrifying construction operations on our projects. To succeed in the green transition, we need to adopt new technology and take the lead as a client, driving demand for this type of equipment. That’s why being the first in the world to use electric haulers is so important to us.”
The machines will be used in the construction of an approximately 20 km tunnel, where their zero-emission operation makes them ideally suited for enclosed and sensitive working environments.
Steffen Solstrand Ludvigsen, Project Site Manager at LNS, said: “We are proud to have secured the first A30 Electric haulers for LNS and the Hemsil 3 project, and we look forward to putting them to work. The project is a strong fit for this type of machine. We’ll be working in tunnels with blasting cycles, which allow time for charging between runs. That makes electric haulers particularly well suited to the work here.”
Przemysla Wessel, from LNS and one of the first operators to use the A30 Electric in a customer project, said: “It was a really special experience. Being among the first to operate this electric hauler was something new for me. It was smooth, comfortable, and easy to use – I truly enjoyed the first run. This feels like a step into the future.”
The machines were supplied and will be supported by Volvo CE’s dealer in Norway, Volvo Maskin AS. David Kristiansund, Head of Operations at Volvo Maskin AS, said: “LNS has been pushing for electric haulers for several years, so it’s fantastic to see them now in operation. Together with forward-leaning customers and clients, Norway is leading the way, with strong demand for zero-emission solutions.”
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