Safer e-trucks, also in slippery conditions. Volvo Trucks introduces Active Grip Control

It’s called Active Grip Control the brand-new safety feature introduced by Volvo Trucks on its range of electric trucks. The patented feature is expected to make stability, acceleration and braking much better also in slippery conditions. It’s not a coincidence that Volvo Trucks has been carrying out some tests under extremely low temperatures during the Swedish winter, as we wrote here.

How does the Active Grip Control work

More into technical details of the new solution developed by the global truck manufacturer, the fast response of the electric motors allows the force generated between the wheels and the road to be controlled in an instant to proactively prevent wheel spin. Tests performed with the Volvo FH Electric on a low friction surface with a loaded trailer showed ​45 percent improvement at full acceleration.​​

Particularly, if the truck starts to skid, multiple sensors allow the vehicle’s control system to react to the road surface conditions and utilize the vehicle’s electric motors, along with other actuators, in an intelligent way to help the driver stay on the road. Also, the function can be used for controlled regenerative braking without going into ABS. This increases efficiency, since more time is spent in regeneration, allowing for a smoother braking experience.​

Soon available on diesel or LNG driveline trucks

So far, the Active Grip Control feature will be available on the heavy-duty Volvo FH, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX electric trucks, that are used for regional haul and construction operations. A version of the feature will also be available on trucks with a diesel or LNG driveline.

«With Active Grip Control we are giving our drivers further improved ability to traverse difficult roads and terrain – even during the most challenging of conditions. This is a unique function that Volvo Group has protected by patents», explained Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic & Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks.