Battery-powered electric trucks are a sustainable alternative to combustion engine vehicles that bring improved operational efficiency and simplified maintenance. That said, there are a number of key challenges that stand in the way of their adoption.
These challenges include charging infrastructure, the energy density of batteries and the need for specialised components that can withstand high voltages. In this article, we dive into battery-powered electric trucks and the technologies needed for their widespread use.
Truck electrification has been a challenging development for engineers. Traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles have been a pillar of commodity transportation for over a century. During this time, the efficiency of long-haul trucks has been refined and improved to transport more goods, further and in a shorter amount of time.
The early stages of electric vehicle (EV) battery technology failed to meet these modern standards of truck efficiency. Batteries simply lacked the energy density and delivery to transport heavy loads of goods over long distances. The trucks would need to be charged multiple times over a single route, significantly impacting operational efficiency.
However, innovation in lithium-ion technology has led to a significant boost in their energy density. This density has effectively doubled between 1990 and 2010, with new optimisations regularly being introduced. On top of that, the price of these batteries have dropped significantly, making truck electrification a viable business decision. So much so that leading automakers such as Mercedes-Benz have started their own line of battery-powered electric trucks.
Even though lithium-ion battery technology has come a long way in recent decades, truck electrification is still hindered by driving range challenges. Routes with a lack of dedicated charging infrastructure can easily lead to complications, resulting in detours that affect efficiency. Additionally, the weight of lithium-ion batteries takes up valuable cargo space that could otherwise be used for goods.
High voltage systems and charging stations are presented as a solution to increase the driving range of electric trucks and limit the number of stops needed for charging. But even with specialised charging infrastructure like Megawatt Charging Systems, electric trucks need specific components to properly take advantage of them. These are components that can protect sensitive equipment from the high voltages that can potentially damage them. Moreover, high voltages can lead to battery damage and degradation without proper attention and protection.
High-performance EV components can aid in the electrification of commercial trucks on a large scale. These components are designed to protect sensitive components from high voltages, withstand environmental factors and maximise charging speeds.
From specialised powertrains and connectors to relays and harnesses, each of these components work in unison to improve the resilience of designs and maximise the range potential of electric trucks. With continuous innovations in these technologies, electric trucks could very much be the new normal of commodity transportation ahead of the 2030 combustion engine ban.
Battery-powered electric trucks were once thought to be part of the distant future, but are now quickly becoming a potential alternative to ICE goods transportation. Advances in battery technology and innovations in charging infrastructure has led to a number of big automakers making fleets of their own. That said, there are still key challenges in the way of widespread adoption, with specialised components being a key factor.
At Dalroad, we provide an extensive range of high-performance EV components that are specialised for high-voltage commercial designs. With a full array of connectors, headers, relays, contactors, harnesses and more, our team of in-house experts can help you find the perfect components for your design. We are committed to helping you maximise the range and performance of your commercial EV.
To find out more about our catalogue of components and get support in choosing the right ones for your design, contact a member of our team today.
