Designwerk Technologies, a Swiss battery technology company that specializes in electromobility, has announced that it will start using battery cells with lithium iron phosphate cell technology along with its high-voltage battery systems with nickel-manganese-cobalt cell technology.
From the beginning of 2024, it will start using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to power the all-electric HIGH CAB Semi Lowliner 4x2T models. LFP batteries are distinguished in particular by a large number of charge cycles and a longer service life. The smaller LFP battery’s lower overall height enables it to be utilized in lowliners, which have up to 15% more volume capacity or a third level of grid boxes for automotive applications and are generally employed in distribution transport with a shorter range than long-distance transport.
The battery is the heart of every electric truck. It provides the vehicle with the energy it needs. The electromobility specialist’s high-voltage battery systems using LFP technology offer a capacity of 170 kilowatt-hours, a relatively small build volume, and an energy density of 141 Wh/kg.
The cells don’t have essential components like nickel, cobalt, or manganese. The increased cycle stability of the LFP cell is another advantage. Typically, a battery is no longer acceptable for use in an e-truck after its capacity has decreased by 20%.
“With LFP cells, we expect the end of life to be reached after at least 3000 cycles; with NMC cells, it is reached after approximately 2000 cycles. So with LFP, the maximum mileage for the vehicle is significantly higher,” says Thomas Prohaska, Product Manager Battery Systems at Designwerk.
This indicates that the technology satisfies the same durability standards as comparable traditional powertrains powered by internal combustion engines, even at reduced capacity.
Battery Capacities Of Up To 1000 Kilowatt-hours Possible
Designwerk uses high-voltage battery systems using current NMC cell technology where range and light weight are priorities. “They guarantee a very high energy density,” claims Prohaska as the explanation. The most recent Designwerk generation has an energy density of 181 Wh/kg and a capacity of up to 250 kilowatt-hours. One battery can have a capacity of up to 1000 kilowatt-hours, while numerous batteries coupled together can have capacities of several megawatt-hours.
“Ranges of up to 570 kilometers and daily ranges of more than 900 kilometers are so realistic. This puts us at the forefront of the industry,” says Markus Erdmann, Product Manager e-truck at Designwerk.
The MID CAB Car Carrier 6x2R car carrier, created in collaboration with Kässbohrer, is one range champion. Short downtimes are guaranteed with a 350 kilowatt charging power, as the battery can be charged to 80% capacity in under two hours.
Designwerk Ensures Disposal With A Minimum Impact On The Environment
Both high-voltage battery systems are produced by Designwerk at its Winterthur, Switzerland, facility. The corresponding automotive sector modules are made up of a number of cells that store and release energy. The main component of the system is a casing that has thermal insulation to shield the battery modules from the environment. The modules are kept within their proper temperature range using cooling plates.
The battery management system, which is perfectly adapted to the chemistry, continuously monitors the entire system and interacts with the higher-level system, ensures protective functions. The battery is examined after use in a vehicle for potential future applications, such as fixed industrial storage or buffer storage in a charging station (Mega Charger).
The battery is only given over for disposal after it has reached the end of its useful life; its priceless raw materials are then recycled.
LFP or NMC? Designwerk Solves Performance Needs Depending On The Application
Since 2015, the first battery solutions from Designwerk have been in service and are steadily demonstrating their value. Depending on the application, the expert in electromobility addresses the installation space and performance requirements separately. Future logistics service providers using the HIGH CAB Semi Lowliner 4x2T will gain from a longer-lasting solution, thanks to the enlarged battery portfolio.
The MID CAB Car Carrier 6x2R continues to offer the highest ranges and tested high-voltage battery systems with NMC cell chemistries, which have only recently been developed with even better energy densities. Transport firms that employ this product, such as automobile logistics, can thus continue to benefit from these features.
Source: Designwerk Technologies
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