Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) is putting data at the heart of its decarbonization efforts as it invests in advanced telematics and beefs up its carbon footprint reporting.

Volvo Group has purchased a 22% ownership stake in VizaLogix, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that specializes in vehicle telematics and data collection. In addition to providing real-time machine monitoring and enhanced technical support capabilities, the telematics data will help to inform the industry’s most extensive catalogue of Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) reports – making it easier for customers to take active steps to reduce their environmental impact.

“VizaLogix provides brand-neutral SaaS solutions that are easy to integrate and use, helping fleets, dealers and OEMs make smarter decisions,” said Scott Young, head of region North America, Volvo, in a statement. “Volvo recognizes that services are growing to be just as important to fleets as their machines, and our investment in VizaLogix extends our commitment. It’s by combining the right machine with the right services that users get the best solution for their needs.”

The PCF reports released by Volvo confirm that electric machines are a more sustainable choice compared to conventional, diesel-powered machines (which, it should be noted, Volvo also sells — and at a higher per-unit profit than EVs). The reports look at a vehicle’s greenhouse gas emissions throughout its projected life cycle, and cover all steps from the extraction of raw materials, component manufacturing and machine assembly, through to battery recycling and end-of-life salvage. The principles of the methodology are based on both the global ISO standard for Life Cycle Assessment and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

“Customers are now rightly looking with absolute scrutiny at carbon performance – on a par with other considerations like cost and quality,” says Rickard Alm, Head of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) program at Volvo CE. “With our Product Carbon Footprint reports, we are making it easier to have quick access to the information needed and enabling them to act on their decarbonization ambitions.”

You can explore Volvo’s initial PCF reports here. Be sure to bookmark the page, though — there will be more to come.

Why the VizaLogix thing is cool

As for VizaLogix, their acquisition is going to enhance not just Volvo CE’s reporting, but their ability to support their machines in the field and, ultimately, keep them running longer. The company’s products enable support for mixed fleets and mixed data connections, including:

• Vantage Point: a mining app that provides real-time data on crucial site metrics like idle times, cycle counts, and tonnage delivered
• TethrIT Now: a real-time collaboration tool that works over multiple channels, allowing augmented reality video calls that featuring helpful overlays that let users visually point, highlight, or mark areas of focus for technicians on either end of the call
• TechnicianNow: it’s telehealth for your equipment, enabling a technician to troubleshoot and diagnose machines through a mobile app that connects them with real-time parts availability to give fleet managers a comprehensive understanding of what’s happening, why, and when it will be fixed

Moving forward, the information gathered with these digital tools will help inform parts purchasing and technician training, and ultimately help build confidence in electric equipment — a crucial step in convincing fleet operators to buy electric.

Electrek’s Take

Volvo is serious about decarbonization and sustainability, and they’re pushing hard to have electric options in all their CE product lines.

The Heavy Equipment Podcast was recently joined by Mats Sköldberg, head of technology for Volvo Construction Equipment, to chat about the company’s all-new, battery-free EW240 Electric material handler (above), the expansion of their electric offerings, and more.

You can check out that HEP-isode, below, and let us know what you think of Volvo’s commitment to data in the comments.

Honda is done standing by while rivals like Tesla and BYD steal market share. To stay competitive, Honda is doubling its investment in EVs to $65 billion (10 trillion yen) through 2030. The plans include slashing costs and launching seven new electric models.

Honda doubles its investment in EVs to $65 billion

CEO Toshihiro Mibe laid out the automaker’s new strategy Thursday, claiming Honda has not “changed its belief that EVs are the most effective solution.”

Honda believes it can compete in the small electric vehicle and motorbike segment. In the long term, Honda is confident that EV adoption will continue to rise. The company wants to take advantage of the “period of EV popularization,” which will happen in the second half of the 2020s.

To do so, Honda will introduce new EVs, establish a comprehensive supply chain (including batteries), and advance EV technology and facilities.

Through its new strategy, Honda aims for a 5% return on sales for its EV business in 2030, aiming to make it self-sustaining.

Honda’s new 0 series is expected to play a key role. Two new concepts, the Saloon and Space-Hub, were unveiled at CES in January.

The Saloon is set to become Honda’s new flagship EV with a model very similar to the concept launching in 2026. It will launch in North America first ahead of its global rollout.

Following the Saloon, Honda plans to launch seven EV models globally, from small to large. In China, Honda will introduce ten new EVs by 2027, representing 100% of auto sales in the region by 2035. It also unveiled its new “Ye Series” EVs to take on Chinese automakers like BYD.

Honda will launch a series of smaller EVs, starting with the N-Van e, a commercial mini EV. After it goes on sale in Japan this fall, Honda will introduce a series of small-size EVs in the region where needed. This will include personal mini-EV models in 2025.

Building an EV supply chain for the future

Regarding its supply chain, Honda will start by strengthening its partnerships for lithium-ion batteries while holding costs down. Starting in mid-2020, Honda will begin producing batteries with its JV partners.

In the US, Honda’s JV plant with LG Energy Solution will begin production with up to 40 GWh battery capacity annually. The lightweight and compact battery packs will be used for its 0 series EVs.

In the second half of the decade, Honda plans to further expand its battery business by building a vertically-integrated supply chain.

To do so, Honda will begin in-house production with GS Yuasa for EV batteries. Honda also plans to secure battery materials in Canada, like cathode materials from POSCO Future M and separators from Kasei at new JV plants.

By 2030, Honda aims to reduce the cost of EV batteries built in North America by over 20% compared to current costs. Honda already has enough secured to produce around 2 million EVs planned in 2030.

Honda aims for EVs and FCEVs to account for 40% of global auto sales in 2030 and 100% by 2040.

Electrek’s Take

Despite the recent “EV slowdown” the media continues to report, several automakers are increasing their investments now as they look toward the future.

Honda is the latest, joining Toyota, which has made a series of investments in new EVs, including a large electric SUV for the US and next-gen battery tech.

Although Japanese automakers have been laggards in the industry’s transition to EVs so far, with Ford, GM, VW, and others pulling back, could they turn things around? That’s what Honda (and Toyota) hope for with new investments in EVs.

Meanwhile, Honda and Toyota’s EV sales share is currently well under that of their rivals. While Toyota’s EV sales share is around 1%, many automakers are already achieving double-digit or 100% EV sales.

Will the new investments be enough? Drop us a comment below to let us know your thoughts.

The 704-megawatt (M) Revolution Wind, Rhode Island and Connecticut’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm, just hit a major milestone.

Revolution Wind’s site is more than 15 miles south of Rhode Island and 32 miles southeast of Connecticut. The first multi-state offshore wind project is a 50/50 partnership between offshore wind giant Ørsted and New England energy provider Eversource.

“America’s offshore wind industry is scaling up, and the first steel in the water at Revolution Wind is a tremendous milestone for Rhode Island and Connecticut’s clean energy journey,” said David Hardy, group EVP and CEO Americas at Ørsted.

During the offshore construction phase, a variety of vessels will be active at the site, including construction and transport barges, cable installation vessels, tugboats, supply and support vessels, and protected species observer monitor vessels. Simultaneously, onshore construction is underway on Revolution Wind’s transmission system in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

In New London, Connecticut, the first turbine components have started to arrive at State Pier, the project’s staging and marshaling port, where they will be assembled by local union labor.

In Rhode Island, crews in Providence are readying for loadout of advanced foundation components built by local union labor at Ørsted and Eversource’s construction hub at ProvPort. Revolution Wind’s crew helicopters and Rhode Island-built crew transfer vessels are based out of Quonset Point.

When it comes online in 2025, Revolution Wind will generate 400 MW of clean power for Rhode Island and 304 MW for Connecticut. Combined, that’s enough clean power for more than 350,000 homes across both states. It will displace nearly 1 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually, the equivalent of taking more than 200,000 cars off the road.

Last weekend, the US offshore wind supply chain marked another major milestone with the christening of the ECO EDISON, the first-ever American-built, owned, and crewed offshore wind service operations vessel. Constructed by over 600 workers across shipyards in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida, with components sourced from 34 states, the ECO EDISON will play a crucial role in operating and maintaining Ørsted and Eversource’s offshore wind projects in the Northeast, including Revolution Wind.

Rhode Island has set a goal of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2030, and Connecticut has set a goal of 100% clean electricity by 2040.

Read more: 2023 was a record year for wind power growth – in numbers

If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –ad*