Top benefits of tiered battery designs for commercial electric vehicles

With extensive experience in battery design and integration for commercial electric vehicles and partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide, Accelera™ by Cummins introduces an advanced LFP battery platform – a battery family consisting of different tiers designed to address the needs of the commercial transportation industry.

Explore how our advanced LFP batteries can support the transportation industry’s transition to zero-emission vehicles, reduce the total cost of ownership, and meet operational needs.
 

Battery platform key features

The battery family leverages LFP chemistry and provides a modular design with scalable power that adapts to specific vehicle requirements - delivering a host of benefits for OEMs and other end-users who choose it as their vehicle's power source.

• Modular, scalable design for versatile configurations
• Increased energy density and payload
• Long-life durability with thermal management
• Flexibility in integration
• Built-in safety and durability
• Cost-effective and low-maintenance

Modular, scalable design for versatile configurations

Our advanced LFP boasts a tiered design. It allows for various configurations for integration and can be adapted to suit different on- and off-highway applications. The platform's tiered system includes 1T, 2T, 3T, 4T, and 5T configurations. Each tier varies in size, allowing you to "stack" the battery packs to meet your vehicle’s specific needs - whether it’s space optimization or increased energy capacity.

• Versatile configurations: Single and double-tier packs can be mounted under ultra-low floor buses and other areas where space is limited. The 3T, 4T, and 5T configurations are ideal for larger vehicles like medium and heavy-duty trucks.
• Compatibility: All battery form factors 2T and higher operate using the same maximum voltage and are compatible with each other. The 1T pack is a half-voltage unit. This flexibility allows OEMs to mix and match tiers to meet their fleets' specific energy and space requirements.

Increased energy density and payload

Regarding energy density, the tiered platform stands out as a next-generation LFP and delivers a significant improvement over past LFP technology. The result? More energy in a smaller and lighter package.

• Enhanced vehicle performance: With more energy packed into a lighter unit and the ability to integrate multiple units into a single vehicle, vehicles equipped with tiered batteries can achieve longer ranges and increased payload capacity. This means fewer stops for recharging and more goods or passengers transported on each trip.

Long-life durability with thermal management

At Accelera, product longevity is a top priority for power solutions. The advanced LFP battery platform benefits from our extensive experience designing battery solutions for various duty cycles. The advanced cell technology used in the batteries ensures a longer lifecycle, reducing the need for battery replacements.

• Thermal management system (TMS): A key factor in the long life of the battery tiers is its built-in thermal management system. This system regulates the battery’s temperature to keep it operating within optimal conditions, extending its life and enhancing safety. Whether operating in extreme heat or cold, the TMS ensures that the battery forms maintain consistent performance, preventing uneven aging of the cells that could reduce the pack's life.

Flexibility in integration

The advanced LFP battery's modular design offers a high degree of flexibility in vehicle integration. This is especially important for OEMs dealing with unique vehicle shapes and sizes. The battery's tiered system can be customized to fit within those constraints.

• Adaptability: This level of adaptability makes it easier for OEMs to adopt zero-emission battery solutions for vehicles that may otherwise struggle with battery integration due to size or space restrictions. By selecting the configuration to match the vehicle’s energy and packaging requirements, OEMs can be confident that each vehicle design is optimized for its specific use case.

Built-in safety and durability

Safety is essential for EV batteries, particularly in commercial applications where accident risk tolerance is low. Our tiered battery platform has undergone rigorous internal and external testing to ensure that it meets the durability requirements of our OEM partners. From the structural casing to the cells within, the advanced LFP batteries are built to withstand the challenging demands of commercial transportation.

• Advanced TMS: Our advanced TMS also helps maintain battery safety. By keeping the cells within their optimal temperature range, the system is designed to ensure that the battery remains safe and operational for the long haul.

Cost-effective and low-maintenance

Cost is one of the biggest drivers for OEMs considering adopting electric vehicles. It’s not as simple as removing a diesel engine and putting a commercial vehicle battery in its place. OEMs need to consider the battery cost and the cost of integrating electric powertrains into their fleets. While these upfront costs tend to be more expensive than traditional diesel engines, cost savings for fuel and reduced regular maintenance requirements for electric vehicles provide a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over the vehicle’s lifespan.

• Lower TCO: Battery electric vehicles don’t require fuel and generally require less maintenance than conventional vehicles. This is due to the minimal maintenance needs of the battery, motor, and electronics, fewer fluids like engine oil, reduced brake wear from regenerative braking, and a significantly lower number of moving parts than a conventional fuel engine.
• Incentives and grants: Funding for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure is essential to accelerate their adoption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, government incentives, private investments and public grants are available to make electric vehicles more affordable. These case studies provide insight into how Orange Unified School District  and West Grand School District were able to stack funding to pay for their electric school buses.

Powering the future of commercial transportation

Accelera's advanced LFP battery platform is designed with the future of commercial transportation in mind. As commercial fleets continue to shift toward zero-emission vehicles, our flexible battery solutions are poised to be a leading solution for companies looking for cost-effective, durable, and scalable battery power.

From school buses to long-haul trucks, our advanced LFP batteries are a reliable, long-lasting power solution that adapts to each vehicle's unique needs. With its advanced energy density, thermal management, and modular design, the advanced LFP battery platform sets new commercial EV battery standards.

Ready to learn more? Contact us today to discover how the advanced LFP battery platform can transform your fleet and drive your business toward a sustainable future.