A fleet of all-electric construction machines from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and Volvo Trucks has powered a fully-electric deconstruction site in Erlangen, Germany.
In collaboration with technology company Siemens and Metzner Recycling, the initiative is part of Siemens’ €500 million Technology Campus development.
Alongside demolition specialists Metzner Recycling, Volvo CE deployed a fully electric fleet, including compact, mid-size and grid-connected construction machines, across a 25,000 cubic meter site.
Electric trucks from Volvo Trucks supported material transport, enabling fully emission-free operations from selective gutting through to concrete crushing, materials processing, and transport.
As well as deconstruction tasks, the electric machines assisted with sorting and processing approximately 12,800 tons of construction waste, with 96% recycled into raw materials for future use.
Crucially, it reflected a new model of cross-sector collaboration between OEMs, contractors, real estate stakeholders, and local energy providers.
Therese Schmitz-Hillebrecht, Head of Market Area Central Europe at Volvo CE, said:
“Our transformation is no longer a vision, but a reality. We don’t just develop electric construction machines – we accompany our partners on the path to an emission-free future.
“The fact that companies like Metzner and Siemens are joining us on this path is a strong sign.”
Michael Metzner, Managing Director of Metzner Recycling, said:
“The fact that we have now taken the first major step towards an all-electric, low emission dismantling site as a technical standard is a huge success for us – the Metzner team – and our clients.
“Electric equipment could unlock urban projects currently held back by noise and pollution concerns.”
Christian Franz, Head of Sustainability at Siemens Real Estate, said:
“At Siemens Real Estate, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction and demolition. This groundbreaking electric deconstruction project boasts an impressive 96% recycling rate and is a testament to our commitment to achieving excellence in sustainability.
“Through strong collaboration and innovative thinking, the team has achieved exceptional results that directly support our company’s ambitious sustainability targets. This project illustrates how partnerships and determination can create a lasting impact and help shape a more sustainable real estate industry.”
Image and video courtesy of Volvo
