Abstract
Powertrain electrification continues to be a growing trend in vehicular applications. Electric powertrains have numerous advantages over traditional mechanical and hydraulic powertrains but there are still important challenges to overcome for long-term commercial success. This research presents a technological assessment of present and future developments of powertrain electrification in non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). The challenges and opportunities of NRMM electrification are described in detail. The trends and drivers related to technological development such as regulations, policies and market development are analyzed, and technology enablers are highlighted. Future scenarios are formulated based on the prevailing trends and drivers, development of key components, scientific literature and status of the non-road mobile machinery industry. Some recommendations are also given in relation to the development of hybrid and electric powertrains for NRMM. The key findings of this research indicate that the electrification of NRMM is slowly started and the progress is demonstrated by hybridization of some specific, successful mobile machines. In short-term, high component and technology development costs remain the main barrier for higher adoption of electric and hybrid powertrains. In the long-term scenario, many NRMM can operate autonomously and powertrain electrification has become mainstream technology.
Highlights
Electricity has been used as an energy carrier in vehicular applications since the invention of the automobile
There is a worldwide understanding that air pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have to be reduced, which in its part encourages the development and adoption of electric powertrains in all vehicular applications and non-road mobile machines (NRMM)
Unlike on-road vehicles, the operating and societal environments of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) are practically similar in all countries so that their operation is less impacted by the local environment
Summary
Electricity has been used as an energy carrier in vehicular applications since the invention of the automobile. Electric powertrains provide at least as good performance as conventional powertrains, and they are inherently more energy efficient and emission free in their operation [2] In this context, powertrain electrification refers to the use of electric power to operate a mobile machine with or without an electrical energy storage. Electric powertrains have not yet been adopted on a large scale in mobile machinery but the recent technological developments strongly indicate that many typical machines can benefit from the use of electricity as traction power and electrification of auxiliary systems [5,6]. There is a worldwide understanding that air pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have to be reduced, which in its part encourages the development and adoption of electric powertrains in all vehicular applications and non-road mobile machines (NRMM). The key findings are summarized and preferable actions and recommendations are given
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