Ponsse and Epec to receive the Finnish Society of Automation’s Automation Prize 2023 for PONSSE EV1 technology concept

Ponsse’s and Epec’s technology concept PONSSE EV1 has been rewarded with Finnish Society of Automation’s Automation prize. The prize is given every two years by society to reward significant research and development work done in the field of automation.

PONSSE EV1 is an electric forest machine technology concept developed by Ponsse and its technology company Epec in cooperation. It was launched as a technology concept in August 2022. The forest machine will be commercially available later. Epec’s technology can already be used in electric or hybrid-electric commercial vehicles and non-road mobile machines.

The concept was developed by a team whose work is strongly linked to promoting the green transition and ensuring the competitiveness of Finnish mobile work machine industry.

“The award is appreciated at Epec. Both electrification solutions and environmentally friendly machines are very imporant to Epec’s customers. In recent years Epec has invested a lot in electrification solutions,” notes product manager Mika Suonmaa from Epec.

The PONSSE EV1 concept took its first steps in 2019 when Ponsse and Epec started to investigate responsible power source solutions in line with sustainable development. The PONSSE EV1 features Epec Flow, Epec’s electromobility system solution.

On a journey towards carbon-neutral logging solutions

Ponsse is part of sustainable forestry and seeks carbon neutrality in its operations and solutions. PONSSE EV1 technology concept is part of the company’s strategy and a tangible step towards the goal of carbon neutrality. Ponsse has been researching and developing innovative technology solutions for several years.

"The Automation prize is a great recognition for the entire EV1 team, their efficient work enabled the completion and release of the concept machine within the planned schedule. The concept is an important part of Ponsse's journey towards carbon-neutral logging solutions," says Kalle Einola, Ponsse's product development manager.

Automation prize is given every two years by the Finnish Society of Automation. It rewards significant research and development done in automation, from the application to the use of industry or society, or other activities that have promoted the field of automation. The prize can be given to an individual, team, company, or other entity.