Continuous vs. peak power explained – how ��ϲ�� electric trucks deliver endurance

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An electric ��ϲ�� truck with a trailer with the words 'Take Charge' on it.

Continuous vs. peak power explained – how ��ϲ�� electric trucks deliver endurance

How can a fully loaded ��ϲ�� heavy haulage battery-electric truck remain so powerful on a long uphill climb? The answer lies with a high level of continuous power rather than short bursts of peak energy.

Different manufacturers take different approaches to electric powertrains. Some prioritise peak power at the expense of continuous output. ��ϲ��, by contrast, has chosen to focus on a high level of continuous power rather than chasing peak figures when it comes to heavy haulage applications.

Why does continuous power matter?

“Heavy haulage is defined by continuous power – that’s what takes you up the hill with 40 tons,” says Ove Spontón, Senior Technical Advisor at ��ϲ�� e-Mobility.

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He explains that while peak power may look impressive on a spec sheet, it can only be used briefly before thermal limits force the system to “derate”. Continuous power, on the other hand, is what truly defines performance in demanding real-world conditions, such as a long climb with a heavy load.

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“This is why a ��ϲ�� battery-electric truck can outpace a truck with higher peak power by 13–14 km/h on a long uphill climb. The peak-focused system overheats and is forced to let go of power,” says Spontón.

How can a ��ϲ�� battery-electric truck deliver high continuous power?

There are several aspects of ��ϲ��’s battery-electric powertrain design that make high continuous power possible, according to Spontón.

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“First, we have a strong integration of the entire powertrain – from batteries and cooling system to the e-machine and transmission. Everything is engineered with deep knowledge of real-world use cases,” he says.

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Another factor is the high efficiency of ��ϲ��’s electric powertrains. Under typical operating conditions, more than 90 percent of the battery’s energy output can be transferred to the wheels.

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“A third factor is our e-machine’s ability to handle high thermal loads and dissipate heat quickly,” he adds. “We have made numerous engineering choices to ensure efficient cooling. This also contributes to why ��ϲ�� outpaces peak-power set-ups on long uphill climbs.”

Differing characteristics of ��ϲ��’s e-machines

Do all ��ϲ�� e-machines share the same continuous power-oriented design? Not exactly. Each of the three electric machines currently offered, ranging from 230 to 450 kW of continuous power, is tailored to different applications.

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While the EM C3-6 and EM C1-4 are optimised for heavy haulage, with continuous power as the main priority, the more compact EM C1-2 has a slightly different design.

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“The EM C1-2 provides a relatively high peak output because it’s designed for urban environments where sudden stops and accelerations are more common than on highways. In city applications, a more peak-power-oriented setup is logical and even preferable,” says Spontón.