Volvo Trucks has launched a new, patented safety feature for electric trucks – Active Grip Control. The new technology significantly improves stability, acceleration and braking in slippery conditions. Tests performed on a low friction surface showed 45% improvement at full acceleration.

If the truck starts to skid, multiple sensors allow the vehicle’s control system to react to the road surface conditions and utilise the vehicle’s electric motors, along with other actuators, in an intelligent way to help the driver stay on the road. The new feature is also designed to reduce the risk for jack-knifing and oversteering when driving unloaded.

 Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic & Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks said, “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.”

Improvements can also be seen when braking, as the function can be used for controlled regenerative braking without going into ABS. This increases efficiency, since more time is spent in regeneration, giving a smoother braking experience.

The Active Grip Control feature will be available on the heavy-duty Volvo FH, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX Electric trucks.  A version of the feature will also be available on trucks with a diesel or LNG driveline.

 
Photo: Volvo’s Active Grip Control greatly improves stability in slippery conditions.