World-first electric deconstruction advances sustainable transformation

The world’s first fully electric deconstruction project has been successfully completed in Erlangen, Germany, marking a significant milestone in sustainable urban development. The project utilized a fleet of all-electric construction machines from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and Volvo Trucks, in partnership with Siemens and Metzner Recycling. This initiative demonstrated high-performance demolition and materials processing across a 25,000 cubic meter site, handling approximately 12,800 tons of construction waste. Impressively, 96% of this waste was recycled into raw materials, showcasing a strong commitment to circular construction practices and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This pioneering effort eliminated tailpipe emissions, cut CO₂ emissions substantially, and reduced noise pollution, addressing key urban environmental challenges. The project also exemplifies the power of cross-sector collaboration among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contractors, real estate stakeholders, and local energy providers in accelerating sustainable construction. Leaders from Volvo CE, Siemens Real Estate, and Metzner Recycling emphasized that this initiative not only proves the