Deployment in Lapland: Robust batteries for electrically powered snowmobiles

Electromobility Deployment in Lapland: Robust batteries for electrically powered snowmobiles

2024-02-15 Source: according to documents from Farasis Energy | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

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Electrically powered snowmobiles are not only environmentally friendly but also quiet. Factors that play an important role, especially in the Far North. However, operation at temperatures of up to minus 40 degrees Celsius poses high demands – especially on the battery, which not only suffers from performance losses in the cold but also ages more quickly. Therefore, Aurora Powertrains relies on the pouch cells from Farasis Energy for its snowmobile eSled.

Electrically powered snowmobiles are environmentally friendly and quiet. Therefore, they are a valuable alternative to their combustion engine counterparts in the far north, especially for wildlife observation.(Image: Aurora Powertrains | Farasis Energy) — Electrically powered snowmobiles are environmentally friendly and quiet. Therefore, they are a valuable alternative to their combustion engine counterparts in the far north, especially for wildlife observation.
(Image: Aurora Powertrains | Farasis Energy)

Bitter cold, snow-white landscapes, and tourists wanting to experience natural spectacles by the minute – all this can be found in Lapland. The area can be well explored by snowmobile. With an electric snowmobile, moreover, in an environmentally friendly and quiet manner. Aurora Powertrains, a manufacturer of electric snowmobiles based in the Lapland capital of Rovaniemi, produces the eSled, a model developed in-house.

Requirements for the battery

Implementing the eSled was a complex development task because a snowmobile must also function at temperatures down to -40 °C and is constantly exposed to the influence of snow and moisture. The biggest challenges are the performance losses and the rapid aging of the battery in the cold. For Matti Autioniemi, founder and CEO of Aurora Powertrains, it was clear early on that a battery module reliable under these conditions is not available off the shelf. "We knew right away that we had to develop a module ourselves to meet the specific requirements. For this, we searched the market for suitable cells that make optimal use of the limited space of a snowmobile and remain durable under extreme environmental influences," explained Autioniemi.

The choice of the optimal cells

The company set out to find the right battery cells. The market did indeed offer a variety of high-quality cylindrical cells, but these were unsuitable for installation in a snowmobile. Only by making full use of the limited space in combination with high energy density could the performance requirements be met. In addition, the battery technology had to withstand extreme weather conditions. Either the snowmobiles were in tour operation through the winter landscapes of Lapland or attached to the charger. Despite the low outside temperatures, the terrain demands necessitated cooling of the battery technology. Cylindrical cells, due to their small surface area, do not dissipate heat quickly and efficiently enough. A different solution was needed. Compact cells that have many life cycles, are temperature-resistant, and bring a high energy density were sought after. Moreover, the technology needed to be robust because, for use in rough terrain and snow, the batteries are subjected to impacts and moisture on a completely different level than when used in a conventional electric vehicle.

Perfect utilization of installation space

The choice fell on the unidirectional P32 pouch cells from Farasis Energy. Their rectangular shape and the ability to expand optimally utilize the available space. The largest battery variant of the eSled, with six modules, achieves an energy of 21 kilowatt-hours. Ranges of around 100 kilometers are possible. These values could not be achieved with cylindrical or prismatic cells in the prototypes. Perfect for Aurora Powertrains was also the fact that a proprietary solution for thermal management could be used, enabling smooth operation at temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius.

Integrated films preheat cells

The collaboration between the Finnish company and Farasis Energy has been very good since the first development project. Matching the requirements of Aurora Powertrains, Farasis Energy develops suitable cells. Even the switch from the initially used P29 to the P32 cell went smoothly because there was no change in the design. Thus, Aurora Powertrains benefits from the further development of cell chemistry without having to redesign itself. An active liquid cooling circuit compensates for temperature differences within the module.

Additionally, the developers integrated heating films at the bottom, which preheat the cells to an optimal 25°C. Although tourist groups usually cover no more than 25 kilometers in distance during the tours, including breaks being on the road for about 3 hours, the energy density and the associated maximum range of 100 kilometers provide the necessary safety margin in remote areas of Lapland.

Offroad, onboard and abroad

Depending on the need, one can choose between three battery capacities for the eSled: In addition to the 21-kWh module, there are also variants with 7 or 14 kilowatt-hours available. The battery technology offers high robustness as well as good resistance to impacts. The water- and dust-proof battery is classified as IP67 and is designed to be modular and scalable. Thus, it can also serve further requirements. Currently, Aurora Powertrains is developing concepts for a Finnish electric boat company and supporting an off-road vehicle project with the 120 kWh battery. Aurora Powertrains plans to produce around 600 eSleds by early 2025. The quiet, merely buzzing snowmobiles facilitate access to sensitive areas like national parks and make the excursions for tourists an emission-free experience. "No engine noise, instead listening to the explanations of the tour guide, observing animals undisturbed, and enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Far North in an eco-friendly way: These are the arguments in favor of electrically powered snowmobiles," concludes Matti Autioniemi.

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Outlook

Even though the more environmentally friendly electric alternative to the traditional snowmobile meets all requirements in the tourism sector, there are numerous challenges on the path to a completely electric future. In the next five to ten years, technology must continue to be developed to also be able to replace special snowmobiles used in deep snow or in racing with an electric variant. The many test kilometers of the eSleds and the innovative spirit of Farasis Energy support this path.