Lithium Iron (Manganese) Phosphate Batteries for Electric Construction Equipment

As the construction industry moves toward electrification to reduce emissions and improve sustainability, the selection of suitable battery technologies becomes critical for the performance and viability of electric construction equipment.This thesis evaluates two lithium-ion battery chemistries, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LMFP) for their potential application in articulated haulers, excavators, and loaders.The study analyzes key parameters such as energy density, power output, voltage, and volumetric efficiency using real-world duty cycles from Volvo Construction Equipment (VCE).A novel evaluation metric, Coverage of Machine Needs, is developed to assess the trade-offs between energy, power, and volume across different battery pack configurations.Evaluation results indicate that LFP batteries such as CATL 60Ah, EAS MP602030, and EVE LF105 perform well across all three machine types, closely aligned with defined performance baselines.Among LMFP options, the K-Tech IMR34145E 14 cell demonstrates strong potential despite the limited availability of commercial LMFP products.The study also has a brief discussion on the shortand long-term prospects of LMFP technology, highlighting its potential to offer higher energy density and sustainability benefits while maintaining cost and safety advantages.As a future scope, the aging behavior of LFP versus LMFP cells represents a valuable area for further exploration to better understand their long-term performance and durability under real-world operating conditions.Overall, this thesis provides a comprehensive evaluation framework for battery selection and identifies LMFP as a promising candidate for future electrified construction equipment applications.