Much Better to be Safer than Sorry
As India becomes the worlds most populous country, the imperative for sustainable infrastructure development is greater than ever. Green growth “ from green energy to green equipment - is now the new mantra - to ease congestion with less pollution, streamline movement with a minimal carbon footprint, promote economic growth without depleting resources, and improve the overall quality of life without endangering more lives. The recent Union Budget has laid out a clear path forward to pursue sustainable infrastructure development on a massive scale over the long term.

At Volvo Group, sustainability is central to the way we think and the work we do. As world-leading manufacturer and the oldest active Company in the construction equipment industry, we believe we have a responsibility to accelerate solutions that help usher in a world we want to live in. So, we are driving change “ here and now - with path-breaking concepts, technologies, policies and approaches. And we are doing it all to realise the two goals we have set for ourselves worldwide - reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent in overall operations by 2030 and achieve 100 per cent fossil fuel-free vehicles from 2040.

Sustainable innovation is at the core of Volvo Construction Equipment. It is a work in progress and spans decades. We have pioneered several cutting-edge technologies and concepts across our entire product range to benefit both our customers and the environment we live and work in. Today, our machines lead the industry with best-in-class fuel efficiency, reduced noise pollution, and unmatched operating safety and comfort. Our machines are also compliant with stringent emission norms and fully capable of running on eco-friendly biodiesel fuel.

Our policies and approach are equally focussed on sustainability. We strive to be holistic and collaborative, engaging everyone across all parts of the value chain. From our employees, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to raw material sourcing, and manufacturing processes and through the entire product lifecycle, we ensure there is active involvement and contribution towards managing the earths resources responsibly. So that whatever and wherever be the nature and challenge of infrastructure development, the solution we deliver has to be sustainable.

Volvo Construction Equipment is heavily invested in the green journey. Our R&D is at work 24/7 on machines of the future “ from battery-operated and hydrogen fuel-cell based products to grid-connected machines. At bauma Conexpo India 2023, we unveiled “ for the first time in India - the EC55 Electric Compact Excavator and SDLG L956HEV Electric Wheel Loader. This is just the beginning of a series of products from Volvo Construction Equipment that will change the face of construction in India - all electric, zero-emission machines with low noise and fewer vibrations - opening up new opportunities for businesses to operate in all kinds of areas at all odd hours.

At the end of the day, sustainable infrastructure development is all about leveraging cutting-edge technologies with responsible strategies and abiding passion so that our planets limited resources are not stretched outside the comfort zone. At Volvo Construction Equipment, we are determined to build the tomorrow of our dreams “ a tomorrow we can all be proud of and cherish for generations to come.

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The article is authored by Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director of Volvo CE India.