More and more electric machines are coming on the market, and for Volvo is leading the way with its electric excavators. VRents
There’s no doubt that sustainably powering vehicles without emissions is crucial for addressing the environmental challenges of our time, and ensuring a healthier, more resilient planet.
And it’s not just the improvement of the quality of the air that we breathe. The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions globally, already leading to climate change.
By transitioning to zero-emission vehicles powered by renewable energy sources such as electricity, the carbon footprint can be significantly reduced.
It’s a philosophy that VRents managing director Chris Bradley strongly believes in and a principle which guides his business now and into the future.
The South Australian company had its origins back in 2016 when it was formed by Chris and his partner.
“In 2023, I became the sole owner of VRents, and later that same year, I purchased a Volvo loader rental business, GJS Equipment in Melbourne, to further diversify,” Chris said.
VRents now provides specialist Volvo Construction Equipment rental services in SA, and also extending to other states. While it primarily provides lease and long-term rental solutions, it has several clients with short to medium-term and project-based rental requirements.
Of course, when the business started up, the development of emission-free equipment was in its infancy and diesel power was king. But technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since then, and Chris is adamant that he will do what he can to spread the word about sustainably-powered machinery.
“There’s no doubt we are at the beginning of a major change in the way we power our cars, trucks and machines through to all aspects of our society,” he said.
“It will be a long process with many steps along the way and we all have our part to play.
“Consistent with this line of thought, VRents recently upgraded its road cars to three hybrid utes.
“As an earthmoving equipment rental company, we believe we’re in a good position to start introducing electric and hybrid options for earthmovers to try in the short term or lease over a longer term.”
Such affinity for innovation comes as no surprise for a business which has always been an early adopter of technology from Volvo.
“We had some of the first Volvo Dig, Load and Haul Assist machines in Australia when they were first introduced,” Chris said.
“We believe our clients have benefited from it and will continue to benefit as the technology improves.”
The VRents rental fleet has always been 100 per cent Volvo, including a wide range of excavator attachments, specialist loader attachments and hydraulic hammers.
“We currently have more than 75 machines. We provide excavators from ECR18 (1.8t) through to EC480 (48t), wheel loaders from L60 to L220 (13-31t) and articulated dump trucks from A30 to A45 (30-45t),” he said.
“They are working with clients on mines, construction projects, wind farms and bulk materials handling assignments from Ceduna in the far west of South Australia to Lilyvale in Queensland. We have a branch in Adelaide and Melbourne and our machines elsewhere are supported by the CJD network.
“Since VRents was established, we have purchased exactly 100 Volvo machines, Volvo hydraulic hammers and countless genuine Volvo attachments.”
And Chris is not backward in coming forward for the reasons.
“Volvo is a progressive, innovative company with a long history of producing great products and services,” he said.
“From an economic standpoint, their machines are very fuel-efficient, have extended service intervals and overall they have great resale values. The feedback we constantly get is that Volvos are the operator’s choice.”
Electric performance
And so to Chris’ decision to lead by example when it comes to emission-free equipment.
VRents currently has two electric Volvo excavators available for rent — an ECR25 and an ECR18, both acquired from Warrin Mining and Construction Equipment.
“Our initial experiences with the electric machines have been very positive,” Chris said.
“In many ways, in the right applications, they outperform their diesel counterparts.
“The electric machines currently available to us are not suitable for every application.
However, we see that as the technology improves they will eventually, in some form, supersede conventional machines.”
The company had in fact been considering stepping into the electric market for quite some time, but wanted to wait for the right job to come along.
“When the opportunity came up, the ECR25 was our first electric machine,” he said.
“We were so impressed with the feedback from one of our commercial plumbing clients we decided to purchase a second electric machine, the ECR18.”
The benefits of the electric excavators were obvious from the start.
“The ability to work in confined spaces and indoors without all the noise and fumes is a huge positive for our clients,” Chris said.
“As short-swing excavators, they are perfect for work in such locations. The compact dimensions and tight tail-swing radius allow for precision in areas with limited space.
“The removable canopies mean the machines can be manoeuvred through most standard commercial doors and hallways.
“Our clients see them being used in shopping centres and other commercial applications where previously they were working after hours with low-emission Tier 4 engines, extraction fans, and having to turn off the fire sprinkler systems.
“We believe the electrics can be used anywhere the diesel equivalents are used, provided there’s sufficient time and power available to charge them. Their operating performance seems the same if not a little better.”
There’s also no cumbersome refilling machines with fuel, which can be hazardous in small spaces.
“Refuelling the small diesel machines often requires re-filling with jerry cans. Working in confined spaces with fumes and the noise of diesel engines requires additional ventilation and noise suppression requirements to protect others working in the area,” Chris said.
In the rare instances that operators have been working the electric machines flat out, they have needed to be recharged with the fast charger, which returns about 80 per cent charge.
This stacks up more than favourably against diesel machines.
“In our experience with diesel mini excavators in similar commercial applications, the telemetry told us they averaged about two to three hours of actual running (including idling) time per day throughout an average hire period.
“In theory, an electric excavator’s battery has plenty of capacity on a single charge for these applications.
“Other than the standard and fast chargers, the ECR25 and ECR18 use the same attachments as our existing Volvo machines including buckets, rippers, augers and Volvo hydraulic hammers.
“The operators have also all commented on how the very quiet and vibration-free electric motor contributes to them feeling less fatigued at the end of each day.
“One of the regular operators texted me directly and said ‘It’s all class, nice and smooth with heaps of power, it tears hard ground out’.
Another factor contributing to the purchasing decision was the lower maintenance costs.
“While it’s yet to be seen what the resale values will be, we do know the annual scheduled maintenance costs will be much lower than for fuel-powered equipment,” Chris said.
“With fewer moving parts and no diesel engine, maintenance costs and fuel expenses are significantly reduced.
“Our clients are willing to pay a little more rental for the electric machines as they believe they’ll win more work as a result of having the option.
“Indeed, so far, we have had no issues with the electric machines, and no service or maintenance costs.
“We believe the electric machines will open new opportunities for VRents with different clients and different applications where they will be the right solution.
“We see our electric fleet growing as we grow, and as the market sees their performance and understands their benefits.
“If you are currently using a mini-excavator and you have access to power for recharging, the Volvos will prove their worth very quickly.
“If you’re not sure then call us and we’ll rent you one so you can see if it works for you.”
Example in action
One of the many happy clients Chris was talking about has been Jordan Plumbing, a major customer ever since VRents was formed.
The business has forged a reputation and portfolio as an industry leader in plumbing services, and as a pre-qualified Tier 1 State and Territory Government-approved contractor, maintains a significant profile, reputation and proven ability.
Jordan Plumbing offers a range of plumbing services including design, consultation, major industrial and commercial projects, programmed maintenance and emergency services. Ever since renting the first machine from VRents, Jordan Plumbing has hired just about every excavator available, from the small mini-excavators through to the 48t Volvo EC480DL.
And now it’s brought in an electric excavator for use.
We caught up with Nick Watts from Jordan at Norwood in SA, where the company was busy carrying out plumbing and excavation work for a project by ORTA: a boutique collection of spacious luxury apartments, sky homes and penthouses that has already been 95 per cent sold.
“We’ve been using the ECR18 model for about a week now, and it’s just such a cool machine,” Nick said.
“Firstly it’s very manoeuvrable. We’re working in some quite tight spaces at the moment, so it’s really good for that.
“We’ve been able to get it working in a space about one metre wide and we’re working in a 1.3m wide area at the moment and it fits tight into there, which is really good.
“It’s very, very strong, very powerful, and rips through just like a standard machine does.
“It’s just so quiet and sometimes you actually forget that it’s on.
“And there are no fumes to worry about in enclosed areas.”
Skilled operator for Jordan, Scott Rann, was equally impressed with the excavator.
“This is the first time I’ve used the electric machine, and it’s really good,” he said.
“I’m happy with the power and the breakouts, and it’s smooth and easy to operate with the touch controls at the fingertips.
“It’s easy to manoeuvre around the tracks, and it fits into a space that’s only a metre wide but it’s stable at the same time.
“Also there is no noise! So that means no hearing protection is required.”
Scott said there was no problem with the ECR18 losing charge throughout the day.
“Just recharge it during the lunch break if needed .. it only takes an hour or less,” he said.
“Or leave it on charge overnight. It’s just plug in, switch on and come back in the morning and it’s fully charged.”
Scott likened the excavator to a Tesla, which “just goes”.
“The torque and the breakout is exceptional,” he said. “It’s makes hard work easy.
“It works just like a diesel machine but is a lot greener and quieter.”
