Learn how to maximise the performance of your compact electric construction machine when it is cold outside!
Top tips to help optimize the performance of your electric construction machine
Store inside overnight when the temperature drops
Where possible, we recommend storing your machine inside overnight when it gets cold to improve the performance of the batteries. Storing outside may mean the battery depletes a bit quicker.
Charge indoors
Just like your cell 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. For this reason, when possible, charge your electric machine indoors when the temperature drops.
Choose the right attachment for the job
To maximise performance, it is important to use the right attachments. You can use the same attachments on our electric wheel loaders as on our diesel machines and it is quite easy to exchange the different attachments.
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 recommend strongly to have the lights on when operating the machine. Just remember to turn off the lights when the machine is not in operation.
Use snow tires
We offer snow tires as an option on our electric wheel loaders to ensure maximum grip in wintry conditions and to extend tire life. Contact your local dealer for more information.
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.
ECR25 Electric at 3,000 meters in Schilthorn, Switzerland
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 meters 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 meters 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.
It is exactly for these reasons that our electric machines were recently used during construction work at almost 3,000 meters on the iconic Schilthorn in the Swiss alps.
Clearing snow in Sundsvall, central Sweden
For more information on our electric solutions talk to your local Volvo dealer to find out more.
