2024NovDec-CJ - 19

NARSA NEWS
starts the active cooling circuit to pre-condition the battery pack.
This process transfers heat from the battery pack to the coolant and
then to a refrigerant through a chiller. The active cooling system,
which includes a compressor, draws more power but is essential
for maintaining optimal temperatures in challenging conditions.
These advanced systems balance power consumption, vehicle
performance, and component lifespan.
Power Balance: Cooling Operators Without
Sacrificing Range
As temperatures soar to unprecedented levels, off-highway
vehicle operators also feel the heat, but cooling down in an EV
isn't as simple as in an ICE vehicle. Every degree of comfort comes
at a cost to battery life, forcing operators to find the sweet spot
between staying cool and retaining vehicle range. For example, air
conditioning use on a 95-degree day can diminish an EV range by
around 17%.
For electric off-highway vehicles, cabin preconditioning offers a
smart solution to the comfort-range trade-off. Operators can start
their day in comfort without draining the battery by heating or
cooling the cabin while the vehicle is still plugged into a charging
station. This method uses grid power instead of battery energy,
preserving the vehicle's total range for operation. It's an efficient
strategy that simultaneously enhances worker comfort and vehicle
performance, addressing two critical needs.
Modern thermal management technologies can also be integrated
into electric off-highway vehicles to enhance cabin preconditioning
methods. Specifically designed for these vehicles' chassis, these
high-performance systems utilize advanced electric components
like ingress-protected high-voltage compressors, high-voltage
coolant heaters, coolant pumps, and coolant valves in concert
with heat exchangers. This integration ensures optimal interior
temperatures and performance in any environment, essential for
off-highway vehicles operating in rugged and rough terrain.
Summer-Proofing Future Off-Highway EVs
The shift to heavy-duty EVs represents a major step in cutting
carbon emissions from agriculture and construction sectors. Yet,
as climate change pushes temperatures to unprecedented levels,
these powerful electric machines-ranging from wheel loaders to
towering cranes-face a critical test. They must now demonstrate
their ability to perform under the harsh conditions created by
the very problem they're meant to address. This presents a
unique opportunity for technological advancement, driving the
development of modern thermal management systems and
climate-adaptive designs.
In response to these challenges, the evolution of thermal
management technology has made significant progress, largely
November/December 2024 | THE COOLING JOURNAL | 17
mitigating concerns about EV batteries and system temperatures
through substantial strides in both cooling and heating solutions.
Ongoing improvements in thermal management promise further
reductions in costs and environmental impact, bolstering the
case for off-highway vehicle electrification. As fleet operators
transition to electric, they can be confident that state-of-the-art
thermal management systems are designed to tackle even the most
challenging operational conditions, including intense heat. These
cutting-edge thermal management technologies will ensure that
off-highway EVs remain durable, efficient, and ready to perform
reliably throughout all seasons and environments.
This article was originally published in the OEM Off Highway
website on October 7, 2024: https://www.oemoffhighway.
com/operator-cab/cab-system/article/22919846/
modine-manufacturing-company-thermal-managementadvancements-for-offhighway-evs
About
the author:
Gina Bonini is the Vice President and General Manager of Advanced
Thermal Systems for Modine Manufacturing.

https://www.oemoffhighway

2024NovDec-CJ

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2024NovDec-CJ

2024NovDec-CJ - 1
2024NovDec-CJ - 2
2024NovDec-CJ - 3
2024NovDec-CJ - 4
2024NovDec-CJ - 5
2024NovDec-CJ - 6
2024NovDec-CJ - 7
2024NovDec-CJ - 8
2024NovDec-CJ - 9
2024NovDec-CJ - 10
2024NovDec-CJ - 11
2024NovDec-CJ - 12
2024NovDec-CJ - 13
2024NovDec-CJ - 14
2024NovDec-CJ - 15
2024NovDec-CJ - 16
2024NovDec-CJ - 17
2024NovDec-CJ - 18
2024NovDec-CJ - 19
2024NovDec-CJ - 20
2024NovDec-CJ - 21
2024NovDec-CJ - 22
2024NovDec-CJ - 23
2024NovDec-CJ - 24
2024NovDec-CJ - 25
2024NovDec-CJ - 26
2024NovDec-CJ - 27
2024NovDec-CJ - 28
2024NovDec-CJ - 29
2024NovDec-CJ - 30
2024NovDec-CJ - 31
2024NovDec-CJ - 32
2024NovDec-CJ - 33
2024NovDec-CJ - 34
2024NovDec-CJ - 35
2024NovDec-CJ - 36
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com