With India poised to take a quantum leap in infrastructure development and demand for minerals and metals in the country set to grow exponentially, the need to reduce the carbon footprint is more significant than ever. This is both a challenge and an opportunity for the construction and mining equipment industry.

Cost-effective equipment requirements in the mining sector
Stressing the need to accelerate climate-efficient technologies that are safe, productive, and cost-effective, Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director at Volvo CE India, says, “Increase in the electrification of equipment, reduced energy consumption or use of alternative eco-friendly fuels in machine operations, continuous improvements in digital, AI, and data processing capabilities, and 24/7 monitoring of equipment at work sites are starting points for industry to consider and work on.”

Getting a competitive advantage with sophisticated mining equipment
At Volvo CE, the passion for enhancing the customer experience with our products is matched by our passion for preserving the environment we live in. This translates into an unending series of sustainable innovations across our equipment range and manifests in unique features to distinguish the brand from the rest.

For instance, the newly introduced Volvo EC550E excavator features Independent Metering Valve Technology (IMVT), a novel electro-hydraulic system facilitating engine/ pump optimisation. It helps customers save on fuel costs with no loss in productivity. The Volvo EC 300DL Block Handler and EC 480D Excavator are two more examples with features that deliver a cutting-edge advantage in quarry and mining applications. The EC 300DL sports toughened undercarriage components and a heavy-duty lower frame to operate effectively in the most challenging conditions. The EC 480D with Vibro Ripper Attachment shields from vibration and shock while delivering three times more productivity compared to breakers. The upgraded Volvo H-series wheel loaders feature
new-generation OptiShift technology, which makes them at least 10 percent more productive and 20 percent more fuel efficient.

Advanced features
The Volvo range of road construction equipment, including compactors, pavers, and pneumatic rollers, is custom-designed for the Indian market and Indian work conditions. They offer intuitive controls, 3600 visibility, smart displays, and ample space, which help operators maximise productivity with effortless ease.

Fuel-efficient and cost-effective factors against equipment downtime
While equipment cost and uptime are essential considerations, the equipment’s fuel efficiency must be weighed before purchasing. This is because fuel is a daily operating cost, and the more fuel a machine guzzles, the less profitable it is likely to be in the short term and over the long haul.

Every piece of Volvo construction equipment is designed and engineered to be supremely reliable and fuel efficient. This ensures customers get the best of both worlds – long life and high uptime resulting in greater productivity, and low fuel consumption and maintenance expenses resulting in reduced operating costs. As a rule, Volvo machines promise at least 10-15 percent more fuel efficiency and higher uptimes and productivity, thereby assuring faster, easier, and better returns on investment.

Flexible finances for equipment recycling and buyback
Equipment-as-a-Service has moved from an alternative to an imperative in the construction and mining equipment industry. Customers now have flexible financing/loan options and tax-efficient lease/buyback plans to source equipment bundled with special offers of spares, service, and maintenance contracts.

Volvo CE India is introducing Equipment-as-a-Service across the length and breadth of the country. This will benefit thousands of customers, particularly sub-contractors, who may not have the resources but need a brand like Volvo to bid on and win projects in their region. The extended arm of Volvo CE India, Volvo Reman, offers a comprehensive range of factory remanufactured components, from engines, drives, and turbochargers to radiators and hydraulic pumps. Volvo Reman also provides exchange services for diesel particulate filters.

The quality and service life are as good and reliable as any new Volvo component or product, at a fraction of the cost of a new one. Giving new life to old components, engineering innovations that are game-changing and sustainable, and developing solutions in complete harmony with the environment; are all a way of life at Volvo CE.

Sustainability in construction and infrastructure projects
Volvo construction equipment complies with CEV IV emission norms. They are capable of running on alternative fuels such as bio-diesel. That apart, Volvo CE lays a lot of emphasis on operator training for efficient use of the machines it sells. The company is working on two ambitious targets by 2030: to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent in overall operations and achieve 35 percent electro-mobility of total solutions. These are challenging targets, no doubt, but Volvo CE has the will to find a way to realise them.