Bosch introduces 800-volt electric drive for port and warehouse operations

At next week’s LogiMAT trade show in Germany, Bosch is set to showcase its high-performance electric drive for battery voltages of up to 800-volts, tailored to the specific requirements of heavy-duty machines used in port and warehouse operations.

As a result, heavy-duty forklifts, truck tractor units, or seaport transporters in terminals and distribution centres can now be equipped with electric drives.

According to Bosch, the compact dimensions enable straightforward integration into tight installation spaces, meaning that existing device platforms can also benefit from electric propulsion.

The 800-volt drive system consists of the Bosch electric motor SMG230 and a highly efficient inverter equipped with silicon carbide power modules. The motor is designed for system voltages of 400- to 850-volts.

In an ideal voltage and temperature range, Bosch says it offers a continuous power output of 188 kW and around 250 Nm of torque. Up to 550 Nm of peak torque can be delivered on a short-term basis.

Thanks to the 800-volt technology, the power density has also been increased significantly. The new motor delivers up to 80 kW more power than a comparable 400-volt machine with identical weight or, with the same level of performance, boasts more compact dimensions and a much lower weight.

Engineered to meet the specific requirements of the 800-volt system, the silicon carbide semiconductors in the power modules enable faster switching operations and steeper switching slopes, meaning that significantly less energy is lost in the form of heat.

The inverters of the drive system with silicon carbide semiconductors thus offer efficiency of more than 99 per cent.