Volvo Group to launch electric hybrid technology for energy-efficient forestry machinery
Sveaskog, a publicly owned Swedish forest company, has started using the first example of the El-forest F14 forestry machine, the world’s first forwarder to utilize electric-hybrid technology. The forwarder was developed by El-forest AB with assistance from the Volvo Technology Transfer venture-capital company. It will be on demonstration at the Elmia Wood trade fair in Jönköping, Sweden on June 3-6, along with a wide range of other forestry machinery from Volvo Construction Equipment, as well as other products from the Volvo Group for the forest industry.
The electric hybrid technology in the El-forest F14 has attracted great interest among forest companies due, among other features, to the possibility of reducing fuel consumption by 20-50%, which sharply reduces carbon-dioxide emissions. “In addition to the significant fuel reduction, productivity and operator environment were prioritized, and consequently, profitability for our customers,” says Per Wassén, Chairman of El-forest and Investment Director at Volvo Technology Transfer, which is owned by AB Volvo. The El-forest F14 is a series hybrid involving a smaller diesel engine that drives a generator that, via batteries, provides electric energy to electric motors in the forwarder’s six wheels. “The drive technology developed has great potential, since, for example, the diesel engine could be replaced by alternative biofuel engines or even with fuel cells in the future,” says Per Wassén. The El-forest F14 is lighter than a conventional forwarder of the same size, but can cope with the same load. There is less impact on the forest environment due to a patented frame structure that enables all electric-driven wheels to follow the same track with adapted speed. Volvo Technology Transfer AB focuses on developing and supporting new businesses relevant to the Volvo Group. Part of the effort is to invest in companies and projects that are technologically and commercially attractive. For more information: El-forest AB - www.el-forest.se Volvo Technology Transfer - www.volvo.com/venturetech 2009-05-27 For additional information, contact Per Wassén, Chairman of El-forest and Investment Director, Volvo Technology Transfer, tel +46 708- 960055 Jukka Moisander, Director Global Forestry Solutions, Volvo Construction Equipment, tel +358 400 336 420 Gunnar Bäck, President, El-forest AB, +46 703-044805 Visit http://www.thenewsmarket.com/volvogroup to access broadcast-standard video from Volvo Group. You can preview and request video, and choose to receive as a MPEG2 file or by Beta SP tape. Registration and video is free to the media. AB Volvo (publ) may be required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication at 11.00 a.m. CET, 27 May, 2009.
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