Volvo Trucks are developing a heavy-duty electric prototype. Here are the keys to your first tests.
The automobile industry is rapidly embracing, in a sense, purely electrical mechanics. In recent years, multiple options have appeared for compete with internal combustion based options. Now, what happens in the rest of the sectors that integrate sustainable mobility? In the urban area, this trend is maintained through purely electric scooters and mopeds. Now, what happens if we take a look at the long distances?
Autonomy remains one of the main concerns of manufacturers. Therefore, it is necessary to make an effort before purchasing to see if we are interested in a model based on electric batteries. Be that as it may, another of the products that does not have special interest in the ecological transition is that of trucks, especially those of great tonnage. Diesel-based options remain preferred for heavy haulage due to cost savings.
Even so, there are manufacturers that are making significant efforts to introduce electrical mechanics. The best example of this is shown by Volvo, a manufacturer capable of offering various resources in terms of batteries. The FH Electric is a proposal that draws attention for be a reference in terms of research. After all, its main differentiation lies in its inclusion in a sector that, sooner or later, will have to adopt battery-based technology.
The so-called heavy duty trucks are one of the main pillars to understand the economy. They serve, above all, to cover the distance from ports to the final customer in cities and other urban concentrations by road. That said, can we be facing an upcoming conversion? There are several scenarios that are being considered. Still, here’s how far Volvo believes an adaptation to the electric market is possible in this industry.
Volvo FH Electric, a model in development that can revolutionize the industry
Taking a look at the qualities of the technology developed by Volvo, it is striking to see how it can already offer up to a maximum of 313 theoretical kilometers of autonomy on a road trip. Being able to cover medium distances is an important step for achieve the transition towards less polluting mechanics. Even so, long distances seem to continue to be a challenge over the next few years. Well, what essential details does this model offer?
The FH Electric is a variant that It has a total configuration of 3 motors, which are distributed among the axes to improve consumption. Thanks to this technology, it is possible to drag a greater amount of weight, something essential in a product of these characteristics. We are therefore faced with a solution capable of covering medium distances at a level of performance adapted to the legal limitations of movement.
As can be read in the specialized portal InsideEV’s, the test truck traveled at an average speed of about 80 km/h. In this sense, taking into account accelerations and traffic limitations, it is what can happen on a similar average trip. Regarding consumption, it was established that battery capacity remained around 1.1 kWh/km, which reflects how much progress has been made in the sector thanks to the provision of new batteries and, of course, other equipment focused on efficiency.
Some details that show how much is being done about it
Volvo is expected to be one of the most prominent companies in the electric transport sector. seeks to implement advanced solutions in sustainable mobility in your division trucks and, of course, this FH Electric model is a testing ground to determine the viability of the future product. It is striking to see how in the coming years versions will be available that will increase the capacity of the batteries to figures close to 600 kWh.
It is still early to predict its reliability in the medium term. After all, an electrical mechanic in this type of sector will suffer more due to the tons that she has to push. Even so, these types of exercises serve to demonstrate To what extent are we facing a technology with potential in this very specific sector. Even so, is this a viable production model for the coming years or will its demand barely cover the current number of diesel vehicles?
It is important to note that, on the other hand, autonomous driving could also play a key role in electrification. The circulation of vehicles glued to each other would reduce consumption very significantly, which would allow purely electric options to have a great opportunity in the freight transport sector. Even so, it is early to anticipate this type of technology, since there are legal limitations that will have to be remedied in the first place.
Related topics: Motor
Sign up for Disney + for 8.99 euros and without permanence