Volvo Bus Australia says its Thermal Management System on its BZL Electric chassis is increasing safety and reliability
Volvo says whilst offering Australia’s safest, most reliable and sustainable electric chassis in the Volvo BZL Electric, Volvo Bus continues to raise the bar with the BZL’s premium Thermal Management System that ensures maximum safety and reliability.
Volvo Bus Australia has prioritised the integration of comprehensive safety measures directly into the Volvo BZL Electric’s DNA.
In addition to Volvo Bus’s traditional vehicle safety features, the BZL Electric has been designed to incorporate sophisticated technical safety measures specific to high voltage systems through Volvo’s Thermal Management System.
The Volvo BZL Electric’s Thermal Management System incorporates a multilayer safety system ensuring operational safety and reliability, including a comprehensive protective system across the following areas:
Software, Monitoring and Design
Multiple protection systems monitored by on-board vehicle systems and software that ensure:
- All Electronic Control Units (ECUs) are constantly monitoring for abnormal conditions including temperature
- Hazardous Voltage Isolation Loop (HVIL)
- Robust Cable Construction
Temperature sensors at key components
- Activation of fire alarm where needed
- Power-down or shutdown on high temperature, component, or performance
issues General Operating Temperatures
- Lower overall operating temperatures due to lack of a combustion engine and high temperature items <60°C
- Less risk of high temperature ignition source for coolant leaks
These components of the BZL Electric’s Thermal Management System are key to Volvo’s clear safety commitment to zero accidents in providing an extensive protective system to mitigate risks associated with operating an electric bus.
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When it comes to passive protection, Volvo’s Energy Storage System (ESS) plays a crucial part in protecting the battery in the unlikely event of a malfunction.
The BZL Electric’s ESS does this by deploying multiple layers of passive space safety systems across cell design, short circuit protection, disconnect measures, battery management systems, general battery pack design, thermal management control and abuse/crash protection to ensure maximum battery safety.
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Experts have acknowledged that the best systems have several ‘layers’ of safety, yet most electric vehicle manufacturers have one to two defensive lines. Volvo has worked extensively to develop nine safety layers from chemistry choice to mechanical protection to ensure overall ESS safety, importantly but not limited to Thermal Runaway.
For the Volvo ESS, the battery cell (single cell) itself is designed to self-extinguish in the event of a thermal issue, further reducing the risk of a single cell issue propagating to other parts of the battery and potential runaway events, providing key protection and safety.
The BZL Electric’s HVIL is integral to this system in ensuring that high voltage is securely contained in the energy storage system (ESS) whenever access is required to the vehicle high voltage system.
“While we now have ADR regulations and guidance on electric commercial vehicles, simply meeting what’s required in Australia has never been our approach,” says Volvo Bus Australia General Manager Mitch Peden.
“Using the highest global standards and focusing on safety is part of Volvo’s DNA and we’re dedicated to innovating and delivering the safest and most efficient technology across our range. A lot of work has gone into designing and testing our BZL Electric’s comprehensive Thermal Management System and we’re pleased to offer a system that goes above and beyond industry standards.
“We know our business partners expect Volvo to consistently deliver the highest safety standards to market with our products and services. Safety is something that Volvo will never compromise on, and our Thermal Management System is a testament to this.”