The construction world is getting quieter by the day, thanks to the gradual electrification of big rigs traditionally powered by diesel engines. After trucks, diggers, and cranes, asphalt pavers are now going electric.
Switzerland’s Ammann, which is known for its asphalt and concrete plant equipment, has transformed one of its mainstream diesel asphalt pavers to run on electric power. Thanks to a Volvo Penta powertrain, the eABG 4820 is now one of the largest electric pavers on the market, capable of laying up to 500 tonnes per hour and a maximum output of 1,200 tonnes per day with a charging stop.
Without intermediate charging, the machine can put down between 350 and 450 tonnes of asphalt.
Before getting into the details, the biggest advantage of an electric paver over a diesel rig is the significantly lower noise output. A 99-kilowatt electric motor is powered by a massive 270–kilowatt-hour battery pack arranged in three separate units. Volvo Penta supplies the batteries, motors, power electronics, and control technology, while Ammann used its expertise in hydraulic-powered machinery to put it all together.
“It comes down to energy management and architecture,” said Philipp Bramer, head of the e-paver development team at Ammann. “The electric driveline doesn’t just power the machine. It communicates seamlessly with the hydraulics. Simultaneously, the intelligent control system makes sure that the system supplies exactly the right amount of energy to the machine.”
The nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxide (NCA) traction batteries can be charged from a CCS2 connector at up to 150 kW in roughly one and a half hours, while AC charging at up to 22 kW can replenish the battery in 12 hours.
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