Introducing the driving force of tomorrow. You might think you’ve seen a vehicle battery before – the box beneath the hood of your car that gets it going and occasionally needs to be attached to jump leads. But there’s a world of difference between these familiar objects and the altogether more complex battery packs that power Volvo Group’s products – providing reliable power and range to heavy-duty equipment and propelling us together into a cleaner, better future. Let’s run through what makes them so special.
Battery-electric vehicles or BEV – albeit ones that are somewhat limited in scope, power and range – are nothing new in themselves. But the kinds of batteries required to move large, heavy vehicles like trucks and for long distances with heavy loads, or to power construction equipment in shaping buildings and infrastructure and moving vast amounts of material, are somewhat new. And what’s more, they’re constantly developing. Let’s run through what makes them so special.
These are often simply referred to as batteries, but they are perhaps more accurately described as battery arrays or battery packs. They could also be called electric vehicle batteries or traction batteries. Each consists of hundreds or even thousands of lithium-ion cells linked together in modules and packs.
The battery packs need to be developed and produced in a way which is itself sustainable. They need to be cost-effective, efficient and useful: so that electrical transportation can remain within our customers’ price range and deliver worth over the lifecycle of their Volvo equipment. And they also need to be completely safe: one of the fundamental features of every product which bears the Volvo name.
So, the requirements are high. But the need for good battery-powered solutions is perhaps even higher. With this in mind, Volvo Group is dedicating a great deal of time and investment to the continued development of new battery technology – all for the sake of creating the most efficient and reliable batteries that we can.
Lithium-ion cells are a common choice for vehicle battery packs. Lithium is what is referred to as the “energy carrier” in these batteries: the chemical that stores the energy in the battery. It’s particularly useful because it has a high energy-to-weight ratio. Given that the size of the complete battery array needed to power, for example, a heavy-duty truck is quite significant – and can lead to a lot of extra weight being added to the vehicle – this is an important factor. Battery packs can weigh around 500kg, and as many as six are placed on heavy-duty trucks. However, batteries are also developing fast, with the aim of increasing the capacity per kilo.
Lithium-ion cells also have a high power capability, both for charge and discharge. They can be optimized for energy storage, and for power output. When used in – for example – a truck, where they are used frequently and need to deliver a lot of power, these two factors need to be balanced out.
The lithium-ion cells are linked in parallel and then placed into strings, which in turn are used to create modules. Finally, around six of these modules become a standard battery pack. As many as 4500 cells can be used in a single battery pack, monitored and regulated by an on-board control system.
Each battery pack has an energy content of around 90kWh and so six in parallel, like you might find in a Volvo truck, has a total energy content of 540kWh.
In order for the battery packs to be as productive, as safe and as long-lasting as possible, their usage needs to be optimized. As a result, there’s a control system inside every battery pack – making sure that the right conditions are maintained and perform well when connected to fast-charging EV charging stations.
As anyone who’s had their mobile phone suddenly shut down on them in the winter can tell you, batteries are very sensitive to extremes of cold and heat. Cold temperatures increase the internal resistance of the batteries, reducing their efficiency. Too much heat, and the batteries will age quicker than we want them to. These control systems monitor temperatures, aiming to keep it within the 20-35°C “sweet spot” for optimum battery performance and lifespan.
The control systems also monitor power when charging and discharging, as well as the current state of charge – that is, how much energy is left in the batteries. In short, they optimize conditions to make the batteries perform as safely and effectively as possible.
In the future, they may also be given AI or machine learning capabilities to “learn” driving habits or equipment usage. They will then be able to adapt the battery pack’s performance according to things like route topology or charging routines.
Battery-electric vehicles and equipment are one part of an overall solution. We at Volvo Group see them as one part of a three-part sustainable propulsion offering – alongside electricity-generating hydrogen fuel cells , and combustion engines that run on non-fossil fuels.
A battery’s capacity is also a factor that needs to be considered. Batteries have finite range and need to be charged. Given that many of our customers work internationally with transportation and logistics, there needs to be a widespread network of high-speed EV charging stations that are simple to access for everyone, across entire transportation routes.
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At Volvo Group we believe that battery electric vehicles will be a vital part of our future transportation, mobility and construction systems.
You can learn more about our approach to battery electric vehicles by clicking on the images below.
These trucks operate using electric motors and batteries, with recharging done through electric charging stations.
Benefits include zero exhaust emissions, flexibility, dependability, and potentially lower operating costs.
While specific ranges vary, electric trucks are designed to optimize efficiency and operational range for different transport assignments.
Charging times vary, but manufacturers like Volvo focus on providing efficient and convenient charging solutions tailored to business needs.
Costs include the purchase price, charging infrastructure, electricity and maintenance costs. Comprehensive service contracts and financing options are available.
This varies by region and country, with many governments offering incentives to promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
Several brands offer electric trucks, including Volvo, which has a broad range of models suited for different purposes. You can read more about them here: Volvo's Electric Trucks
They are more sustainable compared to traditional trucks due to zero tailpipe emissions and the potential for using renewable energy sources for charging.
The future includes continual development in electromobility, focusing on enhanced range, efficiency, and performance tailored to various transportation needs.
