Volvo Penta sets electric deadline

Volvo Penta has set itself a deadline to provide electrified power solutions for both its marine and industrial business segments by 2021.

Underpinned by hybrid and all-electric technology introduced by the Volvo Group, Volvo Penta said its electrified solutions will demonstrate its commitment to offering customers the most appropriate power source for their end-user applications.

Björn Ingemanson, president of the company, said, “Volvo Penta is embracing the electric transformation and will be at the forefront in delivering compelling business cases to customers using this new technology”

He added, “We will take a full systems supplier approach, helping our customers in the transition to the new technology. This will happen application-by-application, on the basis that the business case for switching to electric will differ across our many customer segments.

“This is the start of a long-term transition. Diesel- and gasoline-powered primary drive systems will remain the most appropriate power source for many applications for years to come.”

As part of this commitment, Volvo Penta has restructured its organization to accelerate the switch towards electrified power and has committed to a ramping-up of its electrification investment programme. An electromobility development-and-test laboratory has also been established at its headquarters in Sweden.

Johan Inden, chief technology officer, said, “Volvo Penta is already several years into its electrification journey. We have spent this time building competencies, experience and establishing the technologies required to deliver a sustainable power solutions road map.

“The advanced engineering projects we are currently running, and the performance data received give us confidence that we are on the right technology path to offer customers a compelling business case for electrification.”

As a first tier partner to many equipment manufacturers in the marine and industrial markets, Volvo Penta can further develop electric platforms from the Volvo Group. The company said it can deploy this technical knowledge with its application understanding to help manufacturers develop robust products that use the most appropriate power technology platform for their intended use.

While the power outputs and applications of the initial electric systems are confidential for now, the company said hybrid and all-electric solutions will be offered at the outset.

Volvo Penta is currently field testing early prototypes and system validation is under way.