Volvo Penta supplies electric propulsion for Ammann’s fully electric road pavers
The Swiss construction machinery manufacturer Ammann has developed a fully electric paver in collaboration with the propulsion specialist Volvo Penta. The eABG 4820 is designed to combine the performance of conventional diesel machines with locally emission-free operation.
The electric paver eABG 4820 in use
Image: Ammann
The electrification of construction machinery is also reaching road construction: in addition to electric excavators, forklifts, and dump trucks, there are now fully electric asphalt pavers as well. One such model was developed by Ammann, a Swiss specialist in road construction machinery, in collaboration with the Swedish engine manufacturer Volvo Penta.
The fully electric road paver eABG 4820 is based on Ammann’s diesel-powered ABG 4820 model and is intended to demonstrate that even energy-intensive applications in road construction can be handled without combustion engines.
270-kWh Battery for Road Construction
The core of the eABG 4820 is a high-voltage system provided by Volvo Penta, with a battery capacity of 270 kWh. The energy is stored in three modular battery units. A permanently excited synchronous motor (PMSM) with a rated power of 99 kW serves as the drive. The electrical system operates at 600 volts.
Charging is done via a CCS2 connector. According to the technical specifications, up to 150 kW is possible at a DC charging station. This allows the battery to be charged in approximately 1.5 hours. Alternatively, AC charging at up to 22 kW is available, resulting in a charging time of around twelve hours.
In terms of performance, electric pavers need not be outperformed by conventional machines: Ammann claims a theoretical paving capacity of up to 500 tons of asphalt per hour. The paving width ranges from 2.5 to 6.5 meters depending on the paver head, while the maximum paving thickness is 300 millimeters. The machine’s operating weight without a paver head is around 13.8 tons.
According to Ammann, the eABG 4820 has already set a daily record for the largest amount of asphalt ever paved by an electric road paver. The manufacturer states on its website a daily capacity of 1,200 tons. Moreover, this electric paver is not a one-off device but is already available for customers to order.
Less noise and CO2 on construction sites
In addition to local emission-free operation, Ammann highlights the reduced noise level. This is particularly advantageous during road construction work in densely populated areas. Volvo Penta specifically mentions urban roads, bike paths, and construction sites near residential and commercial buildings as potential application areas. The lower noise level is also said to facilitate communication between machine operators and the installation team.
Ammann estimates that CO2 emissions are reduced by around 70 percent compared to conventional machines. While the road construction machine itself operates emission-free, the actual climate impact also depends on the electricity mix. The electric drive technology comes from Volvo Penta, allowing the manufacturer to expand its activities in electric drive systems for industrial applications.
Dynapac Also Goes Electric with Road Pavers
Ammann isn’t the only company with the eABG 4820. The Swedish construction machinery manufacturer Dynapac also showcased a large electric road paver at Bauma 2025 in Munich. The SD25 80C e is equipped with five electric motors delivering a total power of 235 kW, along with a battery having a capacity of 294 kWh. This setup allows the machine to operate continuously for up to eight hours. The maximum DC charging power via CCS is 235 kW.
In 2022, Dynapac already introduced a smaller fully electric road paver with the SD1800W. These examples show that electrification is now advancing even among the energy-intensive machines used in road construction. In particular, lower noise and emission levels in urban construction sites could be a significant advantage for using electric alternatives.