Agricultural Machinery Sustainable Technology as a Pioneer for Electrification

Related Vendors

VOSS Automotive GmbH

VOSS Fluid GmbH

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Electric drives for agricultural machinery are not a given. Specific requirements make implementation challenging. However, Voss supports manufacturers in addressing these challenges and offers systems for efficient temperature control as well as valves for regulating coolant flow.

The electrification of vehicles is no longer a topic of the future—it is a reality on our roads. However, while passenger cars and commercial vehicles already rely on advanced electric drive systems, the widespread adoption of electrification in agricultural machinery has yet to happen. The reasons for this lie in the specific requirements of the agricultural sector:

• extreme operating conditions,
• long operating hours and
• an infrastructure that is not yet designed for electromobility.

If these challenges are successfully addressed, an electrified agriculture holds great environmental and economic potential—especially in combination with efficient thermal management.

System Solutions for the Agriculture of Tomorrow

Voss has established itself as a system partner for fluid management, actively shaping the electrification of agricultural machinery. The company develops and manufactures components specifically designed for use under demanding conditions—such as line systems, plug-in systems, and valves that are not only functional but also durable and maintenance-free. Voss solutions are modular in design and can be flexibly integrated into various vehicle architectures—an essential advantage for manufacturers aiming to electrify their product range.

Voss has decades of experience in the commercial vehicle sector—a vehicle class whose requirements for robustness, weight, and service life are particularly similar to those of agricultural machinery. This expertise can be transferred to agricultural machinery technology. The operational logic is also comparable: while mileage is crucial for passenger cars, operating hours are the key metric for commercial and agricultural machinery. The systems used must therefore be especially durable and resilient.

Thermal Management as a Technological Basis

A key element of electrified agricultural machinery is efficient temperature regulation. Batteries, power electronics, and cabin climate control must function reliably even in high ambient temperatures, heavy dust conditions, and at low driving speeds. Since natural airflow for cooling is absent, active systems are required to effectively dissipate heat and protect components from overheating.

Immersion cooling, where high-performance battery cells are surrounded by an electrically non-conductive liquid, has proven particularly effective. This method ensures even temperature distribution and extends the battery's lifespan—a critical prerequisite for reliable continuous operation in agriculture. The materials used in the thermal management system must not only be conductive but also highly resistant to ion leaching. For this purpose, Voss supplies specially developed, space-optimized plug-in systems made of fiber-reinforced, recyclable plastic, designed for extreme temperature ranges from –40 to +185 °F and enabling secure and intuitive assembly. Due to their high mechanical durability and media compatibility, they are suitable not only for agricultural machinery but also for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Valve Technology for Intelligent Cooling Strategies

A key element for the efficiency of electric agricultural machinery is the control of cooling circuits. Electrically operated valves regulate the coolant flow and enable demand-based distribution between various components. Voss valves are modular in design and can be customized to meet specific customer requirements. Another technical aspect is media flexibility: the valves must meet specific material properties depending on the application area (e.g., water-glycol, oil, refrigerants). This is particularly important for multifunctional heating and cooling systems, such as preheating batteries in winter or cabin air conditioning during long work operations in summer.

Energy Storage as Part of the Overall System

The electrification of agricultural technology extends beyond individual vehicles: an increasing number of farms are adopting stationary battery storage systems to, for instance, store electricity from existing photovoltaic systems or provide charging infrastructure. These Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) enable flexible energy supply—even in regions with weak grid connections.

A particularly sustainable approach is the use of second-life batteries, which are repurposed in stationary storage systems after their use in the automotive sector. Here too, thermal management plays a crucial role: battery modules must be reliably cooled to ensure their performance and safety. Voss utilizes existing thermal management components already in series production for major vehicle manufacturers and customizes them to meet the specific conditions of battery storage. In doing so, the company bridges the gap between vehicle technology and energy storage.

Sustainability Through Durable Components and Recyclability

The electrification of agricultural machinery is not only a technical but also an ecological challenge. Voss relies on components that can be used over multiple life cycles. Line systems and connectors are designed to be easily disassembled and reused.

By combining durable materials, modular design, and media-compatible construction, systems are created that are not only technically impressive but also ecologically sensible. This makes it easier to align economic and sustainable goals—a key contribution to resource conservation and the reduction of CO₂ emissions.

The electrification of agricultural machinery presents new challenges for the industry but also offers enormous opportunities. With well-designed thermal management solutions, intelligent valve technology, and sustainable system components, Voss is creating the foundation for future-proof agriculture. The integration of vehicle technology, energy storage, and ecological responsibility is becoming a key success factor—for both manufacturers and agricultural operations.

Michael Ommer is Product Manager for Thermal Management at Voss Automotive GmbH; Matthias Kleespies is Product Manager for Valves and Actuators at Voss Automotive Valves and Actuators GmbH

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