After unveiling its new generation of excavators for the Middle East and Africa, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has put its machines to the test in real-world conditions – with standout results.
A side-by-side performance evaluation carried out in the Gulf offered a rigorous proving ground for three of Volvo’s new models – the EC210, EC220, and EC360. Pitted against comparable machines from other leading global OEMs in a series of truck loading trials, these excavators were assessed across a range of metrics central to contractor priorities in the Middle East and Africa: productivity, fuel efficiency, durability, safety, operator comfort, and serviceability.
To ensure a fair and consistent comparison, each machine was operated in the exact same location, following identical dig, swing, dump, and repeat cycles. The performance data was averaged across the operators: a Volvo R&D specialist with 15 years of excavator operating experience, and two local construction professionals with a combined 22 years of experience.
While each brand brought strong capabilities to the field, the evaluation highlighted how Volvo CE’s latest excavator design and engineering upgrades are translating into measurable gains on site.
A side-by-side performance evaluation carried out in the Gulf offered a rigorous proving ground for three of Volvo’s new models – the EC210, EC220, and EC360. Pitted against comparable machines from other leading global OEMs in a series of truck loading trials, these excavators were assessed across a range of metrics central to contractor priorities in the Middle East and Africa: productivity, fuel efficiency, durability, safety, operator comfort, and serviceability.
To ensure a fair and consistent comparison, each machine was operated in the exact same location, following identical dig, swing, dump, and repeat cycles. The performance data was averaged across the operators: a Volvo R&D specialist with 15 years of excavator operating experience, and two local construction professionals with a combined 22 years of experience.
While each brand brought strong capabilities to the field, the evaluation highlighted how Volvo CE’s latest excavator design and engineering upgrades are translating into measurable gains on site.
EC210: Efficient power in the 22 t class
Designed for the 22 t class, the EC210 delivered an up to 7% productivity edge and 14 % better fuel efficiency over competitors in a similar weight class – even when operated at lower RPMs.
“For contractors in the Middle East and Africa juggling performance expectations with fuel economy and uptime, the EC210’s results suggest it’s more than capable of punching above its weight – particularly in applications such as road construction, site prep, and utilities,” explained Olle Watz, excavator product manager for Volvo CE Region International.
The EC220 was tested against the EC210, where it delivered 32% greater productivity, while maintaining similar fuel efficiency at a similar RPM. This highlighted its value in high-volume operations such as material handling and bulk excavation.
“The EC220 makes a strong all-rounder, marrying power and precision for work that demands both,” Olle said.
The largest of the new generation Volvo excavators launched in January 2025 delivered particularly impressive results against a larger class competitor. Even while running at a more fuel-efficient 1,500 RPM, the EC360 recorded up to 25% higher productivity and 21% fuel efficiency than the rival machines running at their peak RPM.
“These figures indicate the EC360’s potential to outperform bigger machines in real working conditions with lower fuel costs,” Olle said.
