Electrification at the edge: Engineering for the reality of off-highway environments

In the conversation surrounding electrification, the vehicle itself typically dominates the headlines. But those operating on remote jobsites in the mining, construction and agriculture sectors know the machine is only half the equation. These industries prioritize reliability and uptime and require machines that can handle grueling shifts in demanding environments without compromise. Power providers in these heavy-duty, off-highway markets must move beyond the battery itself to explore a holistic approach to infrastructure when it comes to powering remote jobsites.

The first step to success is understanding the fundamental differences between off-highway duty cycles and on-highway applications. While on-highway applications like long-hauling trucks benefit from steady-state operation and passive airflow for cooling, off-highway machines often operate at high torque for extended periods, with little to no forward movement. In these scenarios, there is no passive cooling to rely on or regular refueling stations at the next exit. Success, therefore, is defined by the engineering required to ensure that electric machines deliver the same productivity as diesel, even when operated at their limits in the most rugged, remote conditions.