Toronto Habitat for Humanity Is Gifted Electric Volvo Compact Wheel Loader from Nors Dealer

Dealer and OEM Partner to Support Sustainable Homebuilding in Ontario

A Toronto-area equipment dealer is charging into the season of giving with an electric twist. Nors, which operates 10 dealership locations across Ontario, teamed up with Volvo Construction Equipment to donate a Volvo L25 Electric compact wheel loader to Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (Habitat GTA). The zero-emissions machine will help Habitat crews and volunteers complete site prep and construction work more quietly and efficiently while cutting noise and exhaust on active jobsites. The organization plans to use the loader immediately on a 30-home project in Brampton. From the news announcement:

“Our construction team is busier than we’ve ever been, with four projects underway and plans for nearly 200 homes in the coming years,” said Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat GTA. “Much of our equipment is older than some of our volunteers, so we are grateful for this generous and forward-thinking donation.”

Compact Solutions, Community Impact

The donation marks the first of three planned contributions under Nors’ new campaign, “Compact Solutions, Community Impact.” The initiative aims to empower nonprofit organizations with sustainable compact equipment. Two additional electric machines will be donated to community-focused recipients later this year. Canadians can submit nominations for nonprofits or municipalities that could benefit from an electric compact machine at this link. Nominations are open through Nov. 22, with public input collected from Nov. 25 through Dec. 10. Two additional recipients will be announced on Dec. 16. A joint review panel from Nors and Volvo CE will select final recipients based on eligibility and community impact. From the news announcement:

“We’re proud to partner with Volvo to offer equipment that reduces emissions and noise on jobsites, helping build a better world for future generations,” said Paul George, Regional Vice President – Ontario at Nors. “Through this initiative, we aim to raise awareness and accelerate the adoption of electric mobility solutions across Canada, promoting both innovation and accessibility in this new era of construction.”

Habitat GTA Builds Forward

Since 1988, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area has built 26 communities and housed more than 600 families across Toronto, Brampton, Caledon, York Region and Durham Region. Tens of thousands of volunteers contribute about 100,000 hours of labor each year to help build affordable homes. This electric loader donation marks Habitat GTA’s first major equipment gift and its first electric construction machine. The L25 Electric will help expand the nonprofit’s ability to complete multiple projects while reducing operational emissions and on-site noise.

Inside Volvo’s L20 and L25 Electric Loaders

Volvo CE is one of the few manufacturers currently offering commercially available battery-powered wheel loaders. The company began delivering its first electric models in North America in 2022. Its compact lineup today includes two wheel loaders — the L20 Electric and L25 Electric. Both machines use 48V traction batteries with a total capacity of 40 kWh. They feature 29.5 net hp and travel up to 12 mph. Charge times vary from 24 hours on 120V, six hours on 240V Level 2, and about 90 minutes with DC fast charging. Operators can expect four to six hours of runtime per charge, which typically covers a full shift since electric machines don’t idle.

Specs at a Glance

• L25 Electric
  • Bucket capacity: 1.24 yd³
  • Operating weight: 11,023 lbs
  • Max dump height: 8 ft
• L20 Electric
  • Bucket capacity: 1.05 yd³
  • Operating weight: 10,251 lbs
  • Max dump height: 7 ft, 9 in.

Both units can be configured with a parallel linkage for high breakout torque and a programmable cab heater for pre-warmed starts.

Performance Without Compromise

Volvo’s electric loaders deliver nearly identical performance to their diesel equivalents but without engine noise, vibration or exhaust. The instant torque of the electric drive makes operation smooth and responsive. Electric systems also simplify maintenance — no engine oil, filters or DEF to manage — cutting operating costs by up to 35 percent over the machine’s lifetime. Because these machines run quietly and emissions-free, they’re ideal for urban, indoor or environmentally sensitive jobsites — including housing developments like those led by Habitat GTA. Nors’ partnership with Volvo CE and Habitat GTA shows how electric compact equipment can serve more than just construction efficiency. It represents a growing movement toward sustainable, community-focused building — and a reminder that innovation and philanthropy can operate on the same charge. From the news annoucement:

“This donation and the campaign are about more than equipment — they are about people and progress,” said Francisco Ramos, Nors’ COO responsible for the company’s construction equipment segment. “We’re committed to helping communities build a cleaner, more efficient future by putting electric equipment directly in the hands of those driving positive change.”

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.

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