E-Mobility Thermal Management Reimagined

Related Vendors

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Thermal management is a critical interface between vehicle technology, energy storage, and sustainable operations in agriculture. The requirements go beyond conventional vehicle technology.

The mobility transition brings new technical challenges, particularly evident in thermal management: Whether pass cars or agricultural machinery, the requirements for temperature regulation of the battery, power electronics, and interior vary significantly depending on the application profile. Cars rely on compact, efficient systems focused on comfort and range due to space constraints, while heavy agricultural machinery must reliably operate under extreme conditions.

As a system supplier, Voss Automotive develops and manufactures customized technical solutions tailored to specific application areas—such as line systems, connectors, and valves for various requirements. In doing so, Voss supports the industry not only in optimizing existing systems but also as a partner in the electrification and transformation of modern agricultural technology.

The electrification of agriculture is slowly gaining momentum. While battery-electric drives are already well established in the automotive sector, the transformation of agricultural machinery is still in its early stages. This is partly due to the specific challenges in the agricultural sector: long operating hours, dust, vibrations, extreme temperatures, and low driving speeds under full load. However, with the right thermal management solution as a key technology, the future of agricultural technology can be reimagined.

Battery Cooling Under Extreme Conditions

Electric-powered agricultural machinery must operate reliably under extreme conditions. Stable battery temperature regulation is crucial for performance, safety, and longevity. Since airflow for passive cooling is absent, active systems such as pumps, fans, and heat exchangers are indispensable. Additionally, long operating hours under full load, such as during harvesting, cause continuous heat generation.

These requirements make thermal management a key technology for a successful transformation. Immersion cooling, in particular, proves to be an excellent solution: high-performance batteries are directly surrounded by an electrically non-conductive liquid, allowing for uniform temperature distribution—ideal for continuous operation in the field. At the same time, this technology places special demands on material selection: the components used must not only be conductive but also meet the highest standards against ion leaching. In practice, such systems ensure thermal stability even under high continuous loads, making them a central component for the operability of electrified agricultural machinery. A key part of these immersion cooling systems are space-optimized connector systems. They are designed for continuous temperatures ranging from -40°C to +85°C (~-40°F to +185°F) and enable safe, intuitive assembly—both during initial installation and maintenance. Their high mechanical resilience and media compatibility make them equally suitable for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and agricultural machinery.

Valve Technology as the Key to Efficient Cooling Circuits

In modern vehicles—whether passenger cars, on-highway, or off-highway—various cooling circuits must be precisely controlled and adapted to changing operating conditions. Electrically actuated valves play a central role in regulating the flow and temperature of cooling media.

Modular valve systems make it possible to mix or separate multiple flows as needed – for instance, between the battery, power electronics, and interior climate control. This involves not only the hydraulic performance but also the integration into the vehicle architecture.

Another technical aspect is media flexibility: the valves must fulfill specific material properties depending on the application area (e.g., water-glycol, oil, refrigerant). This is especially relevant for multifunctional heating and cooling systems, such as preheating batteries in winter or air-conditioning the cabin during long work operations in summer.

Thermal Management as a Link Between the Vehicle and Energy System

In addition to the electrification of agricultural machinery and off-highway vehicles, energy storage solutions are increasingly coming into focus—such as stationary battery storage systems (Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS).

On agricultural operations, these storage systems can serve various purposes. For example, they can store surplus electricity from photovoltaic systems for operational supply or act as buffer storage for fast charging work machines without requiring additional infrastructure expansion.

A forward-looking approach for such battery storage systems is the use of second-life batteries: after being retired in automobiles, battery modules can be reused in BESS containers, which also have specific requirements for temperature regulation—such as for charging performance, safety, or component lifespan. Through the targeted use of customized thermal management systems, the interface between vehicle and stationary storage becomes an integral part of an efficient technology transfer.

Sustainability Transformation Trend

Second-life batteries also embody the concept of sustainability like few other products—rather than disposing of batteries, their lifecycle is extended and put to meaningful use. This also applies to the integrated line systems, which are designed for durability and can support multiple battery life cycles. Here, the recyclability of materials plays a crucial role alongside system architecture. Recycling-friendly components, media-compatible line systems, and detachable connections help conserve resources and improve the CO₂ balance. Combined with efficient system design, ecological and economic goals can be better aligned.