Volvo, the University of Minnesota, Murphy Logistics Solutions and Texas grocer HEB will put the Class 8 VNR Electric through it's extreme weather paces.
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Murphy will run the trucks in cold winter temperatures while HEB will test them during summer's heat. The testing is sponsored by the Battery Efficiency for Sustainable Trucks (BEST) Project, U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technical Office. The trucks, supported by Volvo commercial support teams, will be maintained and serviced by Nuss Truck & Equipment.
"Volvo Trucks' key to success is always aiming to improve the business value of our trucks for our customers and continuing to develop a positive impact on the total cost of ownership for the Volvo VNR Electric trucks.," says Keith Brandis, vice president of system solutions and partnerships for Volvo Group. "This research project is a critical step to ensuring the efficiency and reliability of Class 8 battery-electric trucks regardless of the environmental factors. The results of this testing can be expected to bolster fleets' confidence in the Volvo VNR Electric trucks' reliability and performance in all weather conditions while still providing the creature comforts for drivers."
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Heavy duty EVs, just like battery electric cars and trucks, can experience range reductions during extreme temperatures. To combat that, the Volvo VNR includes a battery thermal management system (BTMS), a heating and cooling system connected to the batteries to provide optimal conditions for the batteries to work. Another significant factor in the reduction of range is use of climate control in the cab.
The University of Minnesota developed an intelligent energy management system (EMS) tool to help fleets understand how driving style can impact range as well as how to take advantage of more energy efficient routing and decrease the cost and time required for on-route battery charging. To date, Murphy and HEB have seen a 20% increase in range using the tool.
"Collaborating on research projects that will have a direct impact on the viability of batter-electric trucks in extreme weather provides a tremendous opportunity for our faculty and students to not only gain insight into the role that research and development plays in industry, but make a real difference in advancing sustainable transportation," says Dr. William Northrop, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Thomas E. Murphy Engine Research Laboratory at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. "Most testing in the past has been in a lab setting but now we are working with two fleets to improve real-world route efficiency and driver productivity to validate our data and software. We are excited to evaluate that data for future applications and help Volvo Trucks' customers feel confident in deploying these zero-tailpipe emission trucks in even more regions where they can improve fleet sustainability and local air quality."
The university will publish their findings in a series of conference and journal papers and also share reports with the DOE and Volvo.
