Development of 'Standard Battery Pack', a High-Voltage Battery for Next-Generation Electric Trucks and Buses - Seize, Enhancing Compatibility and Reducing Costs Through Unified Usage
Hino Motors in Japan is developing a 'standard battery pack' high-voltage battery that can be used in next-generation electric trucks and buses, as part of efforts to address battery compatibility issues and reduce costs across different vehicle types.
With a standardized exterior and interface, it can be compatible with various vehicle types, and the battery capacity can be expanded by connecting packs.
Upon completion of development in 2028, it is expected to contribute to the wider adoption of electric trucks and buses by supplying not only to Hino Motors' own vehicles but also to other manufacturers.
Hino Motors in Japan is developing a 'Standard Battery Pack,' a high-voltage battery for next-generation electric trucks and buses. Currently, electric vehicles in Japan utilize various high-voltage batteries, leading to poor compatibility and increased costs. The standard battery pack under development aims to enhance compatibility by employing consistent external dimensions, strength, and interfaces, regardless of vehicle specifications or purpose.
The required battery capacity can be achieved by connecting multiple packs in parallel. Each standard battery pack is designed with dimensions of 1500mm in length, 700mm in width, and 300mm in height, making it suitable for both small and large trucks and buses. It offers high flexibility due to its ability to be installed vertically or horizontally. The Battery Control Unit (BCU) is separate, resulting in a simple rectangular shape.
Currently, the plan is to use 350V, 70kWh battery cells, but with future advancements in technology, it will be possible to integrate higher-capacity batteries within the same external dimensions. This allows for significant performance improvements while maintaining the vehicle packaging and body price. The standard battery pack concept is similar to standardized batteries. Just as connecting multiple standard batteries in series increases voltage, connecting multiple standard battery packs enables the construction of systems tailored to various vehicle types. Hino Motors expects this concept to accelerate the adoption of electric trucks and buses. They have indicated that the development will be completed around 2028, and they plan to supply the packs to other companies besides their own vehicles.