Operation in Lapland: Robust batteries for electrically powered snowmobiles

Electric mobility Operation in Lapland: Robust batteries for electrically powered snowmobiles

2024-02-15 Source: based on content 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, their use at temperatures of up to minus 40 degrees Celsius poses high demands - particularly on the battery, which not only suffers from performance losses in the cold, but also faster aging. Aurora Powertrains, therefore, relies on pouch cells from Farasis Energy for its snowmobile eSled.

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

Biting cold, snow-white landscapes, and tourists who want to experience natural spectacles every minute - all this can be found in Lapland. The area can be well explored by snowmobile. With an electric snowmobile, it is also environmentally friendly and quiet. Aurora Powertrains, a manufacturer of electric snowmobiles based in the Lapland capital of Rovaniemi, produces a specially developed model with the eSled.

Requirements for the battery

The implementation of the eSled was a complex development task, as a snowmobile must also function at temperatures as low as -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 quickly clear that a battery module that works reliably under these conditions is not off-the-shelf. "We knew right away that we had to develop a module ourselves to meet the specific requirements. For this, we scoured the market for suitable cells that make optimal use of the limited space of a snowmobile and will last us a long time under extreme environmental influences," explained Autioniemi.

The selection of the optimal cells

The company set out in search of the right battery cells. The market offered a variety of high-quality cylindrical cells, but these were unsuitable for installation in a snowmobile. Only by fully utilizing the limited space in combination with a high energy density could the performance requirements be met. Moreover, the battery technology had to withstand extreme weather conditions. The snowmobiles were either on tour through the winter landscapes of Lapland or connected to a charger. Despite the low outside temperatures, the strain in the terrain made cooling of the battery technology necessary. Cylindrical cells do not dissipate heat quickly and efficiently enough due to their small surface area. A different solution was needed. The search was on for compact cells that offer many life cycles, are temperature-resistant, and bring a high energy density. In addition, the technology had to be robust, as for use in terrain and snow, the batteries are subjected to a completely different level of stress from shocks and moisture 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 make optimal use of 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 in the prototypes with cylindrical or prismatic cells. Perfect for Aurora Powertrains was also that a proprietary solution for thermal management could be used, enabling smooth operation at temperatures as low as -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. Farasis Energy develops suitable cells tailored to the requirements of Aurora Powertrains. Even the transition from the initially used P29 to the P32 cell went smoothly because there were no changes to the design. This allows Aurora Powertrains to benefit from the further development of the cell chemistry without having to redesign themselves. An active liquid cooling circuit balances temperature differences within the module.

Additionally, the developers integrated heating foils at the bottom, which preheat the cells to an optimal 25°C. Although tourist groups usually do not cover more than 25 kilometers in distance during the tours, being on the road for about 3 hours including breaks, the energy density and the associated maximum range of 100 kilometers provide the necessary safety margin in remote areas of Lapland.

Off-road, onboard, and abroad

Depending on the requirements, 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 and good resistance to shocks. The water- and dust-proof battery is classified as IP67 as well as modular and scalable. This allows it to meet further requirements. Thus, Aurora Powertrains is currently developing concepts for a Finnish electric boat company and supporting an off-road vehicle project with a 120 kWh battery. Aurora Powertrains plans to produce around 600 eSleds by early 2025. The quiet, merely humming snowmobiles facilitate access to sensitive areas like national parks and make the excursions a pollution-free experience for tourists. "No engine noise, but listening to the explanations of the tour guide, observing animals undisturbed, and enjoying the beautiful landscape of the far north in an environmentally friendly way: These are the arguments in favor of electrically powered snowmobiles," concludes Matti Autioniemi.

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Outlook

Even though the environmentally friendlier e-alternative to the conventional 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, the technology must be further developed to also replace specialized snowmobiles for use in deep snow or in racing with an e-variant. The many test kilometers of the eSleds and the spirit of innovation from Farasis Energy support this path. (se)