CJD Equipment explains how the Volvo L120 Electric wheel loader is changing the economics of material rehandling
In most operations, attention is drawn to the largest machines, primary excavators, crushers and high-capacity loaders that move immense volumes of material daily.
However, a large portion of productivity occurs away from the main production face.
Stockpile management, plant feeding and material rehandling rely on mid-size wheel loaders working continuously across the site.
These machines may not dominate production statistics, but they are critical to maintaining efficient material flow.
It is within this category of work that the Volvo L120 Electric wheel loader is beginning to attract interest from operators.
As one of the first electric loaders in the 20-tonne production class, the machine is prompting operators to re-examine the economic advantages in rehandling fleets, particularly through lower energy and maintenance costs.
With the loader scheduled to be showcased by CJD Equipment at Diesel Dirt & Turf, Australian operators are starting to assess precisely how electric equipment can lower operating costs and increase efficiency.
Designed for electrification
The Volvo L120 Electric uses the established Volvo L120H diesel loader platform common in aggregates operations.
Volvo built the L120 Electric as a full-production loader, not just a demo model, matching its work capabilities to those of diesel alternatives.
Its specifications include an approximate operating weight of 19–21.5 tonnes, a bucket capacity of 3.3–5.5 cubic metres, and approximately 230kW of electric drive power.
The Volvo L120 also has 282kWh lithium iron phosphate battery capacity @ 600 Volts, an operating runtime of typically five to nine hours – depending on duty cycle – and fast charging capability up to 165kW DC in one and a half hours.
The loader uses an all-electric drivetrain, maintaining productivity typical of its class.
One of the less obvious differences lies in how power is delivered during the loading cycle.
Conventional loaders rely on a single diesel engine to provide power for both propulsion and hydraulics.
As a result, the machine must distribute engine power between driving the wheels and powering the hydraulic pump.
The L120 Electric model has separate motors for traction and hydraulics, so each works independently.
This provides two practical benefits in operations, consistent hydraulic performance regardless of travel speed, and instant torque response when approaching stockpiles.
During repetitive rehandling cycles, operators often notice that electric machines feel smoother and more responsive when filling the bucket or positioning material.
While subtle, this difference can improve control and cycle efficiency during stockpile work.
Diesel vs electric
For managers evaluating electric equipment, the most immediate comparison is operating energy cost.
A diesel-powered Volvo L120H typically consumes approximately up to 18–22 litres of diesel per operating hour.
At a cost of $1.80 per litre this equates to approximately $32–$40 per hour in fuel cost. With significant fluctuations in fuel prices recently, these savings can be significant with the L120 Electric.
The L120 Electric draws energy from its 282kWh battery system, with typical consumption in rehandling work around 20–30kWh per hour.
At an industrial electricity rate of approximately $0.20 per kWh, energy cost can fall to roughly $4–$6 per hour.
While energy pricing varies across sites, this cost comparison shows that electric loaders can deliver significant hourly savings in operating energy costs under suitable operational scenarios.
Cost of ownership
For businesses, the economic case for equipment is rarely determined by fuel alone.
Asset decisions are typically evaluated over the full lifecycle of the machine, including maintenance, energy consumption and utilisation.
Electric loaders such as the L120 eliminate the mechanical systems found in diesel engines.
Compared with conventional loaders, the L120 Electric removes components such as engine oil and filters, fuel injection systems, exhaust after-treatment systems, and turbochargers.
With fewer drivetrain parts, maintenance needs are lower.
Over a typical five-year ownership period, owners will experience the combination of lower energy costs, simplified maintenance and reduced mechanical complexity.
Taken together, these factors make a compelling case for how the L120 Electric can substantially lower the total ownership cost of mid-size rehandling equipment over typical usage periods.
For fleets operating loaders over extended shifts, lower energy, reduced service needs, and mechanical simplicity all play a role in reducing overall operating costs, improving fleet economics.
Electric loader fit
The transition toward electric equipment in the extractive industries will occur gradually.
Large production machines operating at the face will continue to rely on diesel power due to the energy requirements of high-volume extraction. However, mid-size loaders performing predictable rehandling tasks offer a practical starting point.
Typical applications include stockpile management and blending, feeding, crushing, and screening plants, loading smaller haul trucks, rehandling processed aggregates, and supporting recycling operations.
Because these machines often operate within defined areas of the site, charging infrastructure can be located nearby, allowing machines to recharge during shift changes or scheduled downtime.
Event showcase
Visitors attending Diesel Dirt & Turf will have the opportunity to see the Volvo L120 Electric wheel loader showcased by CJD Equipment.
As operators continue to pursue improvements in efficiency, operating cost and environmental performance, electric loaders are emerging as a practical option for rehandling operations.
For many sites, electrification may not start with the most prominent machines, but rather with the mid-size loaders. This signals not just an operational transition but a shift toward a more cost-efficient and sustainable future for industry.
For more information, visit cjd.com.au
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news in the earthmoving industry
- Never miss a great deal and subscribe to our monthly magazine
- Download a free copy of our latest digital magazine to catch up on the biggest news and developments in the earthmoving industry