New research shows that the construction equipment industry could reduce its carbon footprint by millions of tons a year and radically cut fuel consumption by a wholesale adoption of hybrid technology. That was the message of a recent speech given by Volvo Construction Equipment's Arvid Rinaldo. The presentation, to a group of international business journalists in Sweden, said that continuing research into diesel-electric hybrids showed benefits in fuel reduction, CO₂ emissions and performance significantly larger than previously stated.

"Hybrids are not a gimmick - construction equipment responds extremely well to the technology," said Mr. Rinaldo. "We are facing the very real prospect of fuel savings up to 50%, significant performance increases and a reduction in CO₂ emissions in the order of millions of tons a year, if adopted industry-wide."

Volvo CE was one of the first company to officially launch a commercially available hybrid wheel loader when it unveiled its L220F Hybrid in the US, in March. Offering fuel reductions of 10% (depending on application) the L220F's overwhelmingly positive reaction from customers and other stakeholders encouraged Volvo CE to redouble its development efforts into hybrid technology.

Working in cooperation with Volvo Group companies Volvo Technology and Volvo Powertrain, Volvo CE will start deliveries of its L220F Hybrid in late 2009. The heart of the hybrid system is an ISG - Integrated Starter Generator. Fitted between the Volvo D12 engine and the transmission, the ISG is coupled to a state-of-the-art battery that has many times the power capacity of a normal lead acid battery. The ISG allows the diesel engine to be turned off when stationary - and then almost instantly restarted by rapidly spinning the engine up to optimum working speed using a burst of energy from the high power battery. As up to 40% of a wheel loader's time can be spent with the engine idling, this will be a major benefit.

The ISG can also overcome diesel engines' traditional problem of low torque at low engine speeds by automatically offering a massive electric torque 'boost' - as the ISG's electric motor offers torque of up to 700 Nm from standstill. Put in engine power terms - the ISG adds up to 50 kW of instant mechanical energy.