Volvo Penta is showcasing a battery energy storage system (BESS) at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, Germany. This system is built on battery technology proven in Volvo Group’s on- and off-highway vehicles and aims to facilitate fast charging where grid capacity is limited.
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The company notes that limited grid capacity and inadequate charging infrastructure present challenges in the shift to zero-emission transport. The mobile battery-powered charging units aim to expedite deployment timelines and address fast-charging needs without depending exclusively on fixed grid connections, which often involve lengthy permitting processes or civil works. This is particularly relevant for construction and off-highway operators who frequently operate in temporary or remote locations.
At the event, Volvo Penta is exhibiting its BESS alongside the Hivolt 380X, a complete mobile BESS developed by Contour Advanced Systems based on Volvo Penta’s battery technology. The exhibition takes place alongside Volvo Group company Volvo Trucks.
The BESS utilizes established battery technology from Volvo Group, extending its applications from Volvo Penta’s traditional marine and industrial engine sectors to transport and site electrification. It is engineered for heavy-duty use and features a high energy-density battery pack capable of fast charging and discharging, supported by a robust battery management system for enhanced performance and cybersecurity.
Tommi Wulff, sales and business development manager at Volvo Penta, emphasized the importance of reliable power infrastructure in the transition to zero-emission transport. He stated that battery energy storage can enable fast charging at locations with limited grid capacity or where permanent infrastructure is not available. Volvo Penta's BESS subsystem is designed to assist partners in creating complete energy storage systems.
The subsystem offers flexible charging capabilities for temporary events or situations where conventional charging is unavailable or disrupted. In fixed installations, it can enhance limited grid connections, supporting high-power electric vehicle charging, which is beneficial at construction sites and quarries facing similar constraints.
Volvo Penta is positioning the BESS subsystem as a foundational technology for partners to develop customized energy storage systems, leveraging its battery technology alongside partners’ system integration and manufacturing strengths. Jacco Lemmen, business development manager at Contour Advanced Systems, highlighted that Volvo Penta’s BESS serves as a reliable battery foundation for the Hivolt 380X, combining their technology with local European components and shared values of safety and quality.
Volvo Penta manufactures engines and power systems for various applications, operating a network of nearly 3,000 dealers across 130 countries. The company is exhibiting at Hall 11, Stand F31 during IAA Transportation 2026, which runs from September 15 to 20.