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Volvo CE focuses on productivity, safety and future-proofing at World of Asphalt
27 March 2025
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is using its booth at World of Asphalt/AGG1 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri, US, to highlight a wide range of updates to its compaction line – including a new electric model – while signalling a broader commitment to sustainability, site productivity and operator-first design across its portfolio.
An aerial view of the Volvo CE booth at World of Asphalt in St. Louis, US. The company showed a host of roadworks equipment solutions at this year’s expo. (Image: Volvo CE)
“We’re following our biggest launch year ever with an even bigger one,” Dave Foster, vice president of marketing and communications at Volvo CE, tells Construction Briefing from the expo floor.
“Everything in the booth is about productivity, safety for the job site and the operator.
“And when we talk about sustainability, it’s not just about electric – it’s about how we make all our products, including diesel and hybrid, more efficient.”
Volvo CE’s expanded and upgraded compaction line
Volvo compactors at World of Asphalt (Image: Volvo CE)
At the centre of Volvo CE’s large World of Asphalt presence are its updated SD45 and SD75 soil compactors, the PT125 pneumatic roller, and a sneak peek at the forthcoming DD15 Electric.
This is a 1.5-ton double drum asphalt compactor designed for light paving work such as parking lots and small municipal jobs. The electric model, which can charge in as little as 3.5 hours, builds on the DD25 Electric launched two years ago.
Foster described the DD15 Electric as a response to the way compactors are typically used on site.
“They’ll run for 30 or 45 minutes, then they sit. So, you don’t need eight hours of runtime – you need something that can work efficiently in those intervals and recharge quickly,” he says.
The diesel-powered models also saw improvements. Updates include over-the-air software capabilities, redesigned wiring harnesses for improved serviceability, and longer diesel particulate filter intervals. LED lighting, upgraded telematics and improved operator interfaces round out the changes.
Compact Assist, Volvo’s intelligent compaction system, is now available on multiple machines, including the SD75, SD125 and double drum asphalt rollers. Foster said this tool is increasingly important in roadbuilding work where precision is critical and skilled labour is thin.
“Whether you’re behind an asphalt paver or compacting soil, you need that magic number for density — 92 to 95%. Our system helps calculate and track that, so you can hit your targets with less guesswork,” Foster says. “And it’s harder and harder for people to find operators. We find these assist products kind of levels the playing field and helps operators – every operator’s your best operator.”
Volvo A50 hauler makes global show debut
The Volvo CE A50 articulated dump trunk bed on display at World of Asphalt in St. Louis, US. (Image: Mitchell Keller)
While the focus was on compaction, Volvo CE also used the event to showcase the new A50 articulated hauler — the first public appearance of the model globally. The A50 fills a key niche in the North American market between the 45-ton and 60-ton class.
Foster highlighted improvements in visibility, safety and operator comfort, along with a new cab suspension system and fully integrated full-suspension chassis.
“We used to offer full-suspension as an option. Now it’s standard,” Foster says, noting the upgraded chassis helps with speed, cycle times and safety.
The A50 also features a new transmission and Volvo diesel engine, with a focus on fuel efficiency and ease of use.
It’s expected to arrive in Europe soon, with North American availability later in Q2.
Electrification and Volvo’s ‘future-readiness’
Volvo CE’s Scott Young at the company’s booth during World of Asphalt 2025. (Image: Mitchell Keller)
Though full-scale adoption of electric machines remains limited in roadbuilding applications, Foster says Volvo CE views its electric models as part of a long-term strategy, especially as regulatory mandates increase at the state/province and municipal level in the US and Canada.
“Sustainability is key and core to our values at Volvo, and we believe that’s where the future is, but then there’s the reality of meeting the market – and the customer – where they are as well,” Foster says.
“So there’s going to be [demand], and where do you want to be? You want to be catching up, or do you want to be leading?”
Volvo sees a growing pull from markets like California, New York, Washington D.C. and larger metro parts of Canada.
Site solutions and integrated technology
Beyond hardware, Volvo is emphasising its growing suite of digital tools under the ‘Site Solutions’ banner.
These include Connected Load Out and Performance Indicator, which help contractors better manage site logistics, load accuracy and operator performance.
“You can define safety zones, limit machine speeds, and use connected scales to avoid overloading or miscommunication between loader operators and truck drivers,” Foster said. “The key is starting with tools that help save time and money – because if it doesn’t do that, customers won’t use it.”
From new hardware to software integrations, Volvo CE’s strategy at World of Asphalt showed a clear theme: making jobsites safer, smarter and more productive – without making contractors wait for the future to arrive.
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