The electrification of construction machinery is now extending to road construction: in addition to electric excavators, wheel loaders or dump trucks, there are now all-electric asphalt pavers. One such model has been developed by Ammann, a Swiss specialist in road construction machinery, in collaboration with the Swedish drivetrain manufacturer Volvo Penta.
The all-electric road paver, the eABG 4820, is based on Ammann’s diesel-powered ABG 4820 model and is designed to demonstrate that even high-performance applications in road construction can operate without a combustion engine.
270 kWh battery for Road Construction
The heart of the eABG 4820 is a high-voltage system provided by Volvo Penta, featuring a battery capacity of 270 kWh. The energy is stored in three modular battery units. The drivetrain consists of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) with a rated power of 99 kW. The electrical system operates at 600 volts.
Charging is done via a CCS2 connector. According to the technical data sheet, DC fast charging at up to 150 kW is possible, allowing the battery to be charged in approximately 1.5 hours. Alternatively, AC charging at up to 22 kW is available, which results in a charging time of around twelve hours.
In terms of performance, the electric paver does not lag behind conventional machines: Ammann specifies a theoretical paving capacity of up to 500 tonnes of asphalt per hour. The paving width ranges from 2.5 to 6.5 metres depending on the screed, with a maximum paving thickness of 300 millimetres. The operating weight of the machine without the screed is approximately 13.8 tonnes.
According to Ammann, the eABG 4820 has already set a daily record for the largest amount of asphalt ever laid by an electrically powered road paver. The manufacturer states a daily output of 1,200 tonnes on its website. Furthermore, the electric asphalt paver is not a one-off but is already available for customers to order.
Less noise and CO2 on the construction site
In addition to local emission-free operation, Ammann highlights the reduced noise levels, which are particularly advantageous for road construction work in densely populated areas. Volvo Penta explicitly mentions urban roads, cycle paths, and construction sites near residential and commercial buildings as potential applications. The lower noise levels also facilitate communication between the machine operator and the paving team.
Ammann estimates a CO2 reduction of around 70 per cent when using the machine compared to a conventional one. While the road paver itself operates emission-free, the actual carbon footprint also depends on the electricity mix. The electric drivetrain technology comes from Volvo Penta, which is expanding its activities in the field of electric drivetrain systems for industrial applications.
Dynapac also bets on electric road pavers
Ammann is not alone with the eABG 4820. Swedish construction equipment manufacturer Dynapac also presented a large electric road paver at Bauma 2025 in Munich (DE). The SD25 80C e features five electric motors with a combined output of 235 kW and a battery with a capacity of 294 kWh. This should allow the machine to operate continuously for up to eight hours. The maximum DC charging power via CCS is 235 kW.
As early as 2022, Dynapac introduced a smaller all-electric road paver, the SD1800W e. These examples show that electrification is now also progressing in the energy-intensive machines used in road construction. The reduced noise and emission levels could be a compelling argument for using electric alternatives – particularly for urban construction.
