Volvo FL Electric tested in harsh climate and city streets

Volvo Group Australia is revealing results from a testing programme for the FL Electric truck.

Equipped with Volvo’s second-generation battery packs with a capacity totalling 265kW, local engineers subjected the vehicle to a series of on-road tests in 35 degree plus heat. 

The aim was to see how fast charging and extreme heat can affect range, battery charging and vehicle performance.

It comes ahead of the first Australian customer deliveries of the FL Electric which are expected to begin this year. 

Loaded to a gross weight of 15,000kg, the FL Electric covered 730 kilometres over a variety of traffic conditions and terrain including a climb up the (6% gradient) Toowoomba bypass as well as routes through inner-city traffic. 

The second-generation battery packs have a predicted energy consumption of 0.9kWh per kilometre, however local testing found consumption at this point to be slightly lower at 0.73kWh per kilometre. 

The potential of regenerative braking was highlighted coming down the Toowoomba range with braking energy alone enough to replenish battery power by nearly 5%. 

“Temperature is the enemy of battery performance in any vehicle,” technology business development vice president Paul Illmer says.   

“For our industry to go electric, our customers need to know we’ve tried and tested our technology in adverse conditions rather than report contrived figures derived from testing in a controlled environment.

“And I’m extremely happy to see the results of this testing which proves the FL Electric is a viable option for a range of urban distribution roles while being able to tolerate Australia’s harsh climate,” he says. 

The test drives also included a 40-minute fast charge from 40% battery capacity using a 150kW DC charger in an effort to understand how charging may be integrated into everyday transport operations.  

“Our electric trucks are more than just a vehicle, they are part of an electromobility ecosystem,” Illmer says.   

“Before a customer signs up for our electric offering we conduct a feasibility study using out bespoke range estimation tool to plot out exactly how this vehicle can be integrated into an existing transport task.

“Once in service we can help the customer monitor vehicle performance through our Volvo Connect telematics portal. 

“These proprietary tools give us a 360-degree view of our customers’ needs and the operation at hand. 

“This year marks the start of commercial sales here in Australia and I look forward to seeing an electric truck with real world usability hit the local market,” he says.   

The 4×2 Volvo FL Electric has a gross vehicle weight of 16,000kg and creates 130kW of continuous power which is delivered to the rear wheels via a two-speed automated transmission. 

Depending on application, range can be up to 300 kilometres between charges. Charging times range from 11 hours (22kW AC) to two hours (150kW DC).