Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has delivered the world’s first A30 Electric articulated haulers to Norwegian contractor LNS (Leonhard Nilsen & Sønner AS). The machines are being deployed for a Hafslund hydropower project, representing a significant step in the electrification of heavy-duty construction equipment.
The A30 Electric is the world’s first serial-produced electric articulated hauler in its size class. It is designed to provide zero-emission performance in demanding applications that have traditionally relied on diesel power.
Project Scope and Infrastructure
LNS, one of Norway’s largest contractors, has received four A30 Electric units, with three additional machines scheduled for delivery next month. The haulers will be used on behalf of Hafslund Kraft AS for the construction of the Hemsil 3 power plant in the Hallingdal region, spanning the Hemsedal and Gol municipalities.
The hydropower project is expected to be completed in 2029 and aims to increase annual energy production by approximately 110 GWh. To minimize the carbon footprint of the construction phase, electric equipment like the A30 Electric will be used as a primary solution for material transport.
The machines were produced at Volvo CE’s Braås facility in Sweden and transported 700 km to the Hemsil 3 site.
Tunneling and Charging Operations
The haulers are tasked with supporting the construction of an approximately 20 km tunnel. The zero-emission operation of battery-electric equipment is particularly advantageous in enclosed environments where ventilation and air quality are critical concerns.
Steffen Solstrand Ludvigsen, project site manager at LNS, noted that the project’s workflow is well-suited for electric machine duty cycles.
"The project is a strong fit for this type of machine," Ludvigsen said. "We’ll be working in tunnels with blasting cycles, which allow time for charging between runs. That makes electric haulers particularly well suited to the work here."
Lars Oust, project manager at Hafslund Kraft, emphasized that client demand is a primary driver for the adoption of new technology. "To succeed in the green transition, we need to adopt new technology and take the lead as a client, driving demand for this type of equipment," Oust said.
Regional Market Trends
The machines were supplied and will be supported by Volvo Maskin AS, Volvo CE’s dealer in Norway. According to David Kristiansund, head of operations at Volvo Maskin AS, the delivery follows years of interest from LNS regarding electric hauling solutions.
The deployment reflects a broader trend in Norway, where contractor and client demand for zero-emission machinery continues to grow, positioned by Volvo CE as a "step into the future" for heavy infrastructure projects.
