In use in Norway: the WL20e electric wheel loader

The first "green" wheel loader from Wacker Neuson with electric drive WL20e gets off to a good start in Norway. Among other things, it is currently being used to construct a new school in Oslo, as well as for demolition work in a food factory. For both projects, the machine's zero emissions were crucially important to the firm order placement.

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In Norway, the country with the highest proportion of electric automobiles, particular attention, even on job sites, is paid to environmental and user-friendliness. The emissions-free WL20e wheel loader from Wacker Neuson is currently being employed there in two projects for which the machine's battery-operated drive was an essential criterion. Specific regulatory conditions had to be met in the construction of a new school in the vicinity of Oslo and in demolition work in a food factory, which the WL20e wheel loader could guarantee it could fulfill. 

The contractor J.I. BYGG AS Totalentreprenor, which obtained the machine from the fleet of vehicles in the UCO rental park, as well as the RS company, part of the Norsk Gjenvining Group, expressed great satisfaction with the equipment's performance parameters . "We use the WL20e wheel loaders primarily for transporting loose material and window panes from the container to the new school construction. The operators are quite satisfied and express high praise for the noiseless, exhaust-free and relaxed work made possible by the wheel loader. The battery run-time has proven itself excellent in everyday work," says Geirmund Gardner, project manager for J.I. BYGG. Purchase of the machine in order to expand its own fleet is therefore already on the current agenda.

Paul Kristian Myhre, project manager for Sparte Beton at R3, is also convinced by the advantages offered by the electric wheel loader: "The WL20e is the best choice for work in a warehouse environment with sensitive products such as foodstuffs. No exhaust fumes and no noise, so night-work is possible, as well as an eight-hour workday without time spent on recharging. That convinced us all down the line!" The WL20e wheel loader was used to remove rubble, loose materials and plant components — an environment strictly regulated by legal conditions. 

Two electric motors, one for the drive system and one for the work hydraulics, ensure that the performance features of the wheel loader WL20e correspond to those of the conventional WL20 machine. Besides its environmental-friendliness, the wheel loader scores points for its high economic efficiency. The energy consumption of the WL20e lies below that of the diesel-driven model, meaning savings of up to 48 percent are possible. A lead-acid battery — time-tested and proven in the industry — is used; when charging, the battery can be connected optionally to power with 230 or 400 Volts. The maintenance and service intervals hide potential for additional cost-savings, as fewer elements and components are used that are subject to wear and tear. In Norway, the WL20e electric wheel loader is offered to companies that have been awarded the Miljofyrtarn certificate for exceptional contributions to environmental protection. The certificate is only bestowed upon companies that work sustainably in Scandinavia and it plays a large role contract awards.