Mobile Charging Vans Keep Volvo CE Electric Machines Powered in London Trial
Bringing On-Demand Charging to London’s Electric Jobsites
Battery-powered machinery faces a major challenge — reliable access to power at construction sites — but what if you didn’t need to plug your machine into the grid to recharge? What if you had mobile power stations delivering electricity to your e-fleet like a fuel truck? Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is currently part of an innovative mobile charging trial in collaboration with Transport for London (TfL) and Charge Fairy, a UK-based start-up. This project marks the first time on-demand mobile charging is being tested for construction equipment in the UK.
The six-week trial is testing Charge Fairy’s mobile charging van, which delivers electricity to Volvo CE’s battery-powered compact equipment — EC18 Electric compact excavators and L25 Electric compact wheel loaders — at three worksites in Redcliffe Gardens, Kensington and Chelsea. Partnering with contractor FM Conway, the goal is to keep electric machines running without the need for fixed charging infrastructure or site relocation. From a news story on Volvo CE’s website:
Mats Bredborg, Electrification Leader for Volvo CE, said: “Many Londoners may not realise that the smaller diesel construction machines they pass by every day are entirely exempt from emissions controls. This means they emit disproportionately high levels of harmful pollutants like NOx and particulate matter, contributing to poor air quality and posing serious public health risks.”
“That’s why initiatives like this are so important—bringing the industry together to deliver a fully operational, electric, zero-tailpipe-emission solution that helps create cleaner, healthier streets for London.”
How Mobile Charging Works
Charge Fairy’s charging vans monitor real-time charge levels of electric construction equipment and dispatch power as needed. This method ensures that machines stay powered without leaving the site, improving uptime, efficiency and sustainability. This UK-first initiative aligns with London’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The project also addresses the general concerns we all have about air pollution and noise reduction in urban environments and everywhere else too. From the news story:
Carl Eddleston, TfL’s Director of Network Management and Resilience, said: “The health of everybody in London is central to our work, and we are determined to meet our 2030 net zero targets. That’s why I’m so pleased that we’re continuing to take these important steps to reduce emissions and protect air quality.”
“The trial of electric construction vehicles at Redcliffe Gardens is such a vital part of achieving our goals, and our work with FM Conway, Volvo CE, and Charge Fairy shows how construction across our transport network can be environmentally conscious. We are going to review the trial results and carry on exploring the best ways to decarbonise our network construction chain.”
A Quick Reminder of Volvo CE’s Electric Equipment
Compact Excavators
- EC18 Electric: 1.8-ton mini excavator optimized for indoor and urban use.
- ECR18 Electric: Short-swing radius model for tight spaces.
- ECR25 Electric: Matches diesel performance with a 9-ft digging depth and 15-ft reach.
Compact Wheel Loaders
- L20 Electric: 40 kWh battery for up to six hours of runtime.
- L25 Electric: A larger electric loader with quiet operation and zero emissions.
Other Electric Machines
- DD25 Electric Asphalt Compactor: A double-drum compactor for quiet, emission-free operation.
- EC230 Electric Excavator: A 23-metric-ton fully electric mid-size excavator for heavy-duty tasks.
- Hybrid and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Prototypes: Volvo CE is investing in the future with alternative energy solutions beyond battery-electric models.
What This Means for the U.S. Construction Industry
The U.S. construction sector is increasingly interested in electric-powered equipment, but charging infrastructure remains a challenge. A mobile charging solution like Charge Fairy’s could make electric machines more viable on American jobsites, especially in urban areas where emissions and noise regulations are tightening. Contractors, municipalities and equipment manufacturers should watch this London pilot — it’s an interesting alternative to charging sustainable construction machinery in big cities and beyond.
The Future of Electric Construction
Volvo CE’s commitment to electrification continues to expand with new models, partnerships and charging solutions. As the industry moves toward a greener future, innovations like mobile charging, hybrid powertrains and hydrogen fuel cells will play a crucial role in reducing construction’s carbon footprint. With the hopeful success of this UK-first trial, the next step is scaling up mobile charging and integrating it into more jobsite operations. Could we see similar solutions hit American worksites soon? We sure hope so.
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
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