Jan De Nul tests all-electric Volvo excavator

Jan De Nul Group is using the Volvo JEC230 Electric excavator at its soil and sediment valorisation center in Hulsdonk (Belgium).

It is the first time that an all-electric vehicle of this type is used on Belgian construction sites. This marks another step in the electrification of the company’s activities, as JDN aims to play a pioneering role in the transition to renewable energy.

In 2022, Jan De Nul made a similar breakthrough by being the first to use a hybrid bulldozer on Belgian sites, specifically at the Coo hydropower station. Meanwhile, the contractor is deploying five of those bulldozers, as well as an electric sieve and cherry pickers.

Earlier this year, the maritime contractor ordered its first hybrid dredging vessel and launched a pilot project involving a new type of battery (Vanadium Redox Flow). Hence, the company continuously commits to innovation for further reduction of its emissions.

“We have fully mapped our machinery and vehicle fleet in terms of NOX and CO2 emissions, which means we can now regreen the biggest polluters first. By the year 2035, Jan De Nul aims to reduce its emission by 40%. That is a huge challenge, but we are working towards it step by step,” said Xander Vanderfaeillie, Technical coordinator site material at Jan De Nul.

Today, Jan De Nul’s transport fleet consists for more than 70% of electrical vehicles and has access to 600 charging stations on various locations.