Volvo Penta set 2021 as electric deadline

Company to offer electrified solutions in marine and industrial applications within three years

WITH the aim of becoming a driving force in sustainable power solutions, Volvo Penta are going full ahead into hybrid and all-electric drivelines and will be offering electrified solutions in both marine and industrial applications within three years.

The company has issued a clear statement of intent with the news that by 2021 it will provide electrified power solutions for both its land- and sea-based business segments.

Underpinned by the success of hybrid and all-electric technology introduced by the Volvo Group, Volvo Penta say their electrified solutions will demonstrate the company’s long-term commitment to offering customers the latest and most appropriate power source for their user applications.

‘Volvo Penta are embracing the electric transformation and will be at the forefront in delivering compelling business cases to customers using this new technology,’ said Björn Ingemanson, president of Volvo Penta.

‘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,’ he continued, adding that diesel- and gasoline-powered primary drive systems would remain the most appropriate power source for many applications for years to come.

Johan Inden (pictured), Volvo Penta’s chief technology officer, said the company was 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,’ he explained. ‘The advanced engineering projects we are currently running, and the performance data received, gives us confidence that we are on the right technology path to offer customers a compelling business case for electrification.’

As part of this increased commitment, Volvo Penta have restructured their organization to accelerate the switch towards electrified power and have committed to an ambitious ramping up of their electrification investment programme. An electromobility development and test laboratory has also been established at the company’s Swedish headquarters.

Moreover, as a Tier 1 partner to many leading equipment manufacturers in the marine and industrial segments, Volvo Penta say they are in a unique position to further develop the proven electric platforms from the Volvo Group.

The company can deploy this technical knowledge with its application understanding to help manufacturers develop advanced, robust and successful products that use the most appropriate power technology platform for their intended use.

Whilst the power outputs and applications of the initial electric systems are being kept confidential for the time being, the company has announced that both hybrid and all-electric solutions will be offered at the outset.

‘We have a deep understanding of power systems in a wide variety of applications, which we will use to help customers meet the transformation towards sustainable power solutions in the months and years ahead,’ continued Mr Inden.

‘These solutions will not just be more sustainable, they will also be high performance – delivering a no-compromise win-win offering for customers and the environment.’