Energy storage technology requirements for heavy (hybrid) electric commercial vehicles: A promising growing market and durability reference for high-tech batteries

Heavy-duty commercial vehicles such as mining vehicles, cargo handling machines, and buses have much in common with passenger cars. They are equally affected by tightening emission regulations and high cost of fuel, challenges that increase the attractiveness of electrification of these vehicles. Commercial vehicles have also special attributes which are not so common to passenger cars. They are used to do work, and some types are operated around the clock which makes fuel costs high. Furthermore in mining, the cost of ventilation due to diesel fumes and heat is high. Many of the commercial vehicles are operated in specified sites or lines which makes refuelling or recharging infrastructure simple to build. With the electric vehicle technology available today, many commercial vehicles, when electrified, have lower total cost of ownership when compared to traditional diesel powered ones. The market is there but technological challenges remain around the battery technology especially in durability, safety, and power density. Key requirements for heavy-duty electric commercial vehicle battery technology and related charging infrastructure are discussed here.