Volvo CE has begun practical testing of the EC230 Electric excavator in Brazilian territory. This equipment is being used at Caxiense Fagundes, a quarry located in Caxias do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Volvo CE has begun practical testing of the EC230 Electric excavator in Brazilian territory. This equipment is being used at Caxiense Fagundes, a quarry located in Caxias do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Launched in 2026 in the 26-ton category, the Volvo CE EC230 Electric is designed for various applications, including earthmoving, waste handling, and scrap handling.
José Fernando Fagundes, executive director of Fagundes Construção e Mineração, initially expressed skepticism about the performance of the electric excavator. However, the machine proved to fully meet expectations.
The use of electric propulsion provides significant benefits, such as reduced vibration and quieter operation, combined with the advantage of instant torque. Furthermore, the battery allows work to be carried out throughout the day without the need for breaks, with recharging done at night or during breaks between shifts.
Volvo CE already offers other electric options, such as the medium-sized loader L120 Electric, the compact loader L25 Electric, and the compact excavator ECR25 Electric.
The electric vehicle and machinery sector is gaining ground in this type of activity due to reduced pollutant emissions, lower dependence on fossil fuels, and lower maintenance costs.
BMW has introduced its new electric model, the iX3, in Brazil, which holds the title of the country's vehicle with the longest range. This mid-size electric SUV represents the first launch of the Neue Klasse line in the national territory.
According to the methodology established by Inmetro, the iX3 can travel up to 570 km on a single charge. This performance surpasses the previous range record in the Brazilian cycle, which belonged to the iX model, with 498 km. The new iX3 is notable for being the first electric car to exceed the 500 km mark by a considerable margin.
Despite its large range capacity, the iX3 has a high cost, priced at R$ 582,950. It arrives on the market in an exclusive configuration, the 50 xDrive, equipped with an electric motor on each axle and a 108.7 kWh battery. This combination generates a total of 469 hp and 65.8 kgfm, allowing the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 210 km/h.
In terms of dimensions, the new BMW iX3 measures 4.78 meters in length, 1.89 m in width, and 1.63 m in height. Even with the stature of a robust SUV, it maintains a low aerodynamic coefficient of only 0.24. The interior was designed with a more minimalist style, highlighting a narrow horizontal screen at the top of the dashboard to display crucial information. The multimedia center is presented on a parallelogram-shaped screen.
The brand preserved some essential physical controls, such as buttons for audio volume control, mirror adjustment, parking brake, and defrosters. Although the air conditioning controls are located on the screen, they remain always visible. The native navigation system, called BMW Maps, has been updated to include charging point information. Furthermore, the vehicle features a digital key, enabling the use of the mobile phone to unlock doors and start the engine.
The trunk space is quite ample, offering a capacity of 520 liters. By folding down the seat, this volume can be expanded to 1,750 liters. Currently, the new BMW iX3 is in the pre-sale phase and will be imported directly from Debrecen, Hungary.
Mercedes has introduced its hybrid model in India. The Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid was released, and the E 53 designation was restored. This vehicle entered the market in a plug-in hybrid configuration and is positioned as a sports sedan.
The E 53 Hybrid model is positioned between the standard E-Class models and the extreme AMG versions. Thus, the company aims to satisfy demand for both daily use and high performance.
The initial retail price for this model is 1.45 crore rupees for the Performance Edition. The Racing Edition is available for 1.48 crore rupees (export price).
This car is the brand's last sports sedan and was introduced to the global market two years ago. It is equipped with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine, which works in conjunction with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Power is distributed to all four wheels thanks to the 4Matic+ AWD all-wheel-drive system.
As part of the plug-in hybrid system, an electric motor is installed, connected to a battery with a capacity of 21.2 kWh. This combination provides 585 hp and 750 Nm of torque, allowing the car to accelerate to a speed of 100 kilometers per hour in just 4 seconds.
The E 53 Racing Edition includes the standard AMG Driver package, which allows reaching a top speed of up to 280 kilometers per hour. The interior features special AMG seats, heated seats, and an AMG steering wheel. The dashboard is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.4-inch central touchscreen display.
Additional options include the Burmester audio system, panoramic roof, ambient lighting, wireless charging, smartphone wireless connectivity, a 360-degree view camera, and a set of airbags. The car is fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels.
