Volvo Penta sees electricity, not alternative fuels, as way forward

First published at bauma - April 12, 2019

VOLVO PENTAVolvo is focusing on electromobility

Volvo Penta is embarking on its first industrial OEM electromobility partnership, in the same week that sister-company Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) rolls out a range of zero-emission site equipment.

Volvo Penta has signed its first agreement to design and deliver an electric driveline for an industrial OEM. This strategic partnership follows Volvo Penta’s recent announcement that it is providing the propulsion system for Gothenburg’s first all-electric ferry, and is a significant step in the company’s plans to offer electrified power solutions to both the industrial and marine segments by 2021.

For Volvo Penta, the project represents an opportunity to demonstrate and further develop its electromobility platform in a prestigious and demanding application.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) earlier unveiled two zero-emissions machines, the ECR25 excavator and L25 wheel loader, from its new range of electric compact machines.

“We’re looking at what’s actually available in the Group and then modifying those components for our customers,” said Christer Hedström, Volvo Penta’s director of product planning. “We’re working to make this driveline to fit our OEMs or our customers. We have different customers that we’re looking at, to fit that into their machines.”

Volvo Penta is developing complete electric drivelines, with motors for both propulsion and power take-off. “We also have a couple of gearboxes and battery systems, or energy storage systems as we call them.

“We have one motor that has 105kW continuous power and a gearbox where you can pack on two of these motors, so you can get twice the power.”

The Volvo Group is also in dialogue with customers regarding the use of alternative fuels in future, added Hedström, “but at the moment, we’re focusing on electric development. That’s where we really see the great opportunities and progress, together with real expectations from the OEMs.”

Volvo receives fewer requests from customers to take up alternative fuels, as these remain relatively expensive and their availability is limited. Distribution is also more difficult than supplying electric rechargers.

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