Volvo Construction Equipment has unveiled five new hybrid excavators as part of its next-generation lineup, marking the most significant overhaul of its excavators in two decades. This expansion includes the company’s largest hybrid models to date: the 40-metric-ton EC400 Hybrid and the 50-metric-ton EC500 Hybrid, both engineered to deliver superior fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
Joining these heavyweights in the hybrid range are the EC260 Hybrid, EC300 Hybrid, and EC370 Hybrid—each featuring Volvo’s advanced hydraulic hybrid system. These model numbers correspond to their weight class in metric tons, ensuring clear categorization within Volvo’s lineup.
According to Volvo, these hybrid excavators achieve 20% greater fuel efficiency in digging and dumping operations compared to their conventional counterparts, while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 15%. Despite these environmental benefits, the machines maintain the same high level of productivity, making them a compelling choice for operators looking to optimize performance while cutting operational costs.
The hybrid system captures energy hydraulically when the boom moves downward, storing it in an accumulator positioned behind the boom. This stored energy is then released to assist the boom’s upward motion—the most power-intensive movement—reducing engine torque demands, lowering fuel consumption, and cutting emissions. Best of all, this process is entirely automatic, requiring no additional input from the operator.
Cost Savings and Maintenance Advantages
Volvo estimates that the fuel savings alone could offset the additional investment in a hybrid excavator within approximately three years, depending on usage patterns and fuel costs. The EC400 Hybrid and EC500 Hybrid were specifically added to the lineup due to their suitability for applications that maximize hybrid technology benefits—such as quarry operations where excavators perform repetitive boom-up-and-down movements while loading trucks or crushers.
Beyond fuel efficiency, Volvo’s hybrid models offer lower maintenance costs due to a simplified electro-hydraulic system. Unlike some hybrid technologies, Volvo’s system does not generate electricity, require batteries, or rely on complex electronic programming. With fewer hoses and couplings, these machines reduce potential failure points and streamline servicing requirements.
Reinforced Structure for Longevity
Volvo has also strengthened key structural components to enhance durability. The undercarriage now features a reinforced idle frame, track links, and bottom rollers for improved wear resistance. Additionally, the bucket linkage has been fortified with a steel strip, while a heavy-duty superstructure undercover adds another layer of protection. Bolt-on wear plates have also been introduced, making replacement easier and extending the excavators’ lifespan.
According to Sejong Ko, Volvo’s product manager for large excavators, “Our hybrid excavators provide an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient solution without compromising performance. They are particularly advantageous in urban settings, where emissions reduction is a growing priority.”
With these latest additions, Volvo continues to push the boundaries of hybrid technology in heavy equipment, offering contractors a cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional excavators.
Quick Specs
EC260 Hybrid
- Operating weight: 62,744 – 75,663 lbs.
- Gross power: 225 hp
- Bucket capacity: 0.6 – 2.3 yd³
EC300 Hybrid
- Operating weight: 65,477 – 85,539 lbs.
- Gross power: 253 hp
- Bucket capacity: 0.68 – 3.1 yd³
EC370 Hybrid
- Operating weight: 82,890 – 87,460 lbs.
- Gross power: 344 hp
- Bucket capacity: 1.14 – 3.19 yd³
EC400 Hybrid
- Operating weight: 86,800 – 91,600 lbs.
- Gross power: 339 hp
- Bucket capacity: 1.14 – 3.19 yd³
EC500 Hybrid
- Operating weight: 106,110 – 116,400 lbs.
- Gross power: 424 hp
- Bucket capacity: 1.5 – 4.33 yd³
Fulian Operation Team
2025.3.24
