Volvo doubles down on data with telematics and carbon footprint reporting
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.
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The US Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $1.2 billion in financing to replace Puerto Rico’s fossil fuel plants with solar and battery storage through 2032.
The DOE’s Loan Programs Office announced two conditional commitments and one loan closing to power producers in Puerto Rico. Each supports a project contracted with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. The announcements include:
- The closing of a $584.5 million loan guarantee to subsidiaries of Convergent Energy to finance a 100 MW solar farm with a 55 MW (55 MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) in the municipality of Coamo and BESS installations in the municipalities of Caguas (25MW/100MWh), Peñuelas (100MW/400MWh), and Ponce (up to 100MW/400MWh)
- A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $133.6 million to a subsidiary of Infinigen for a 32.1 MW solar farm with an integrated 14.45 MW (4.76 MWh) BESS, and a co-located standalone 50 MW (200 MWh) BESS expansion in the municipality of Yabucoa
- A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $489.4 million to a subsidiary of Pattern Energy for three stand-alone BESS in the municipalities of Arecibo (50 MW/200 MWh), and Santa Isabel (50 MW /200 MWh and 80 MW/320 MW), and a 70 MW solar farm with an integrated BESS in the municipality of Arecibo.
If all are finalized, these projects would more than double LPO’s support for utility-scale solar generation and battery energy storage in Puerto Rico.
LPO provides low-cost financing and a rigorous due diligence process, making it a valuable resource for Puerto Rico as it works to rebuild an affordable, reliable, and clean energy system. As a result of reliance on imported fuel, the persistent threat of tropical storms, and underinvested infrastructure, Puerto Ricans today face average energy costs that are twice the US average – all while consuming only one-quarter of the energy of the US per capita.
LPO’s initial loan to a power producer in Puerto Rico, Project Marahu, closed in October 2024, and when complete will add more than 200 MW of solar and up to 285 MW of stand-alone energy storage to Puerto Rico’s grid.
Through its September 2023 partial loan guarantee to Project Hestia, LPO also supports virtual power plant (VPP)-ready rooftop solar and battery storage installations in Puerto Rico. As a nationwide project, Hestia’s sponsor is committed to at least 20% of installations under Project Hestia going to homeowners in Puerto Rico.
As part of its procurement plan, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority seeks to install 1,500 MW of battery storage and requires a minimum capacity of storage to be co-located with each utility-scale solar project. Energy storage systems currently online in Puerto Rico are being dispatched every day.
When including Marahu, LPO’s closed and conditionally committed financing supports over 100% of the capacity Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority aimed to procure under its initial request for energy storage project proposals, the first of six.
Read more: Cleantech investments to top fossil fuels for the first time in 2025
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Chevy just introduced new deals on the Equinox and Blazer EV models to make them even more affordable. With 0% interest and a new trade-in bonus, Chevy is offering over $5,000 in savings.
Chevy adds new Equinox and Blazer EV deals in January
Although the Chevy Equinox EV is already “the most affordable” EV in its class with over 315 miles range, it’s getting even cheaper.
Earlier this week, Chevy launched new deals on the 2024 Equinox and Blazer EV models. According to a note sent to dealers, viewed by CarsDirect, the electric SUVs are now available with 0% APR financing for 60 months. You can also choose from 0.9% AP for 72 months and 2.9% APR for 84 months.
This marks the best financing offer on Chevy’s newest EVs to date. The previous best rates were 0.9% APR for 60 months, 3.9% for 72 months, and 5.9% for the longer 84-month option.
On a 7-year $45,000 loan, online auto research firm CarsDirect estimates the new deals amount to around a $5,200 price cut. The lower APR rates are already offered on the Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup.
In addition, Chevy is offering a trade-in bonus of up to $3,000 on the Silverado EV and $1,000 on the electric Equinox and Blazer models. If you choose to lease, the bonus is cut in half: $1,500 for the Silverado and $500 for the electric SUVs.
Chevy’s new EV deals started on January 14 and run through March 3, 2025. The deals come as rivals like Hyundai and Ford recently launched new EV promotions.
On Thursday, Hyundai launched a new promo on the upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5, which includes monthly leases as low as $199 and a free ChargePoint home EV charger (or $400 charging credit). Meanwhile, Ford extended its “Power Promise” program earlier this month, which also includes a free home charger, among several other benefits.
The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV started at $41,900 with up to 315 miles range. Prices for the electric Chevy Blazer start at $43,690 with up to 279 miles range.
If you are ready to try out Chevy’s new electric SUVs for yourself, we’ve got you covered. You can use our links below to view offers on the Chevy Equinox, Silverado, and Blazer EV models near you.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss non-Tesla EVs getting Supercharger access, Cybertruck sales in the spotlight, Rivian getting some money from Biden, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):
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