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Electric-hybrid technology goes to work in Swedish forest

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Sveaskog, a publicly owned Swedish forest company, has started using the first example of the El-forest F14 forestry machine, the world’s first timber forwarder to utilise electric-hybrid technology.

  

The forwarder was developed by El-forest AB with assistance from the Volvo Technology Transfer venture-capital company.
The technology in the El-forest F14 has attracted great interest among forest companies due, among other features, to the possibility of reducing fuel consumption by 20-50%, which sharply reduces carbon-dioxide emissions.
In addition to the significant fuel reduction, productivity and the operator environment were prioritised, and consequently, profitability for our customers, says Per Wassn, Chairman of El-forest and investment director at Volvo Technology Transfer, which is owned by AB Volvo.
The El-forest F14 is a series hybrid involving a smaller diesel engine that drives a generator that, via batteries, provides electric energy to electric motors in the forwarders six wheels.
The drive technology developed has great potential, since, for example, the diesel engine could be replaced by alternative biofuel engines or even with fuel cells in the future, says Per Wassn.
The El-forest F14 is lighter than a conventional forwarder of the same size, but can cope with the same load. There is less impact on the forest environment due to a patented frame structure that enables all electric-driven wheels to follow the same track with adapted speed.
Volvo Technology Transfer AB focuses on developing and supporting new businesses relevant to the Volvo Group. Part of the effort is to invest in companies and projects that are technologically and commercially attractive.


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