Help optimise the performance of your machine during winter
‘How are electric construction machines affected when the temperature plummets?’ is a question often asked. Just like with any vehicle or equipment, having the heating on influences energy consumption. In diesel machines this will be fuel and for electric machines it is the battery life that is affected. Even in sub-zero temperatures, Volvo CE’s electric construction machines have the power and performance to get the job done!
Here are some examples of compact electric machines operating in colder conditions, along with our 6 top tips to help optimise the performance of your machine during winter.
6 Tips to help optimise the performance of your electric construction machine
Store inside overnight when the temperature drops
We recommend storing your machine inside overnight where possible when it gets cold to improve the performance of the batteries. Storing outside may mean the battery life depletes faster.
Charge indoors
When possible, charge your electric machine indoors when the temperature drops. Just like your mobile phone, your machine’s battery likes to be within a certain temperature range to charge efficiently. When it’s cold, the ions in the lithium-ion battery find it harder to move around, so charging can take longer.
Warm up your machine before you get to work
Use Volvo CE’s new programmable cab heater option to warm up your cab before you set to work. This also warms up the battery, aiding efficient performance. If you are able to do this while the machine is still plugged in and charging it won’t use up any of the battery’s electricity. You can even do this if your machine is charging indoors so it is ready to go when you are.
Lights on and working in the dark
The lights and rotating beacon on our electric wheel loaders are LED, which means they only use a small amount of power. We strongly recommend having the lights on when operating the machine. Just remember to turn off the lights when the machine is not in operation to save the charge within your batteries.
Choose the right attachment for the job
It is important to use the right attachments to maximise machinery performance. You can use the same attachments on Volvo electric wheel loaders as on Volvo diesel machines, and it is quite easy to exchange the different attachments.
Inspection and maintenance
Aside from a visual inspection as necessary, there is nothing to service around the electric parts of an electric machine, making care and maintenance much more straightforward!
Electric machines offer many technical advantages over diesel machines in wintry weather
It may surprise you to know that electric machines offer many technical advantages over diesel machines in wintry weather. This is because for every 300 metres of elevation gain over sea level, a naturally aspirated IC engine will lose 3% of power.
This can be reduced by using a turbocharger, but even then, at heights of 1,800 metres over sea level, power will be lost by a minimum of 9% (and up to 20%). This loss in power is due to several factors which include oxygen availability and power consistency. In addition, emission dispersion is reduced at higher altitudes which means having a zero-emission and quiet machine offers another distinct advantage.
For these exact reasons, Volvo CE’s electric machines were recently used during construction work at almost 3,000 metres on the iconic Schilthorn in the Swiss Alps.
