Connected Energy deploys second-life BESS to enable Volvo e-truck charging

UK-based Connected Energy has installed its 'second-life' battery energy storage systems (BESS), assembled out of used EV batteries, on two of Volvo Truck and Bus dealer service workshops to aid the high-voltage charging of Volvo electric trucks.

The energy storage company claims that it has helped the Volvo dealerships overcome "one of the biggest barriers the UK faces with the shift to zero emission transport". Earlier, the dealers, who planned to install high-powered charge points at their sites, realized that their sites did not have the required import capacity from the grid to power the chargers.

The all-electric trucks requires charge points that can be up to 50 times more powerful than fast chargers for cars, notes the company. This places a much bigger strain on energy supplies than car charging, with many organizations lacking the available electricity capacity to install the charging they require, according to Connected Energy.

Matthew Lumsden, CEO of Connected Energy, commented, "Truck depots and service centres were not designed with EV charging in mind, so many of them are facing capacity issues as they look to extend their range into larger vehicles. 'E-STOR' is often a more affordable alternative to expensive grid infrastructure upgrades – or in some cases the only option". 

Connected Energy's innovative 300kW 'E-STOR' system provides enough power to ensure that the high-capacity charging points of 350 kW and 150kW capacity for e-trucks, along with a couple of 22 kW electric car chargers for meant for cars and vans.

"We have seen an increase in enquiries as bus and truck operators begin to understand the lack of capacity on their sites and start to look for solutions to grid constraints", added Lumsden. 

"By installing Connected Energy's battery energy storage systems, we can bring additional power onto the sites which helps us to move forward with the installation of high-powered charge points", said Christian Coolsaet, Managing Director at Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland. 

"As a market leader in electric trucks, it is important that we can provide high-powered charging at our at key locations within our dealer network to support our customers whilst maintaining their electric trucks and buses", he noted. 

It is to be noted that Volvo Group's Volvo Energy had previously invested about SEK 50 million for a 10 percent stake in Connected energy in 2022.