Mobile Electrification Technology Centers Help Expand EV Technologies

It seems as if everyone in the market is talking about electrifying their mobile equipment, yet few are doing it — at least not to the extent they would like or will necessarily meet the various federal mandates previously set. There are multiple reasons for this struggle.

One is certain technologies still need to catch-up with market demands. Batteries, for example, need to be denser and more powerful, but also cheaper, smaller and lighter to be competitive. 

Second, the market, as a whole, needs to get a lot smarter about the electrification process. That’s why Parker created an entire portfolio of SMART electrification products to help customers navigate the conversion from an internal combustion engine to a more electric future.

However, the products alone were not enough to effectively advance the market on its electrification journey because customers needed to understand how to optimize the performance of these products and get them to work together as a highly efficient system. 

A network approach to guiding the electrification journey 

Recognizing that the electrification movement is about a lot more than simply dropping in a battery and an electric motor, Parker understood that it needed to extend its knowledge base and seek highly qualified, highly trained partners that could respond quickly to customer needs at a more regional level.  

The solution to advancing market knowledge was the development of mobile electrification technology centers (METCs), a network of regional distributors in North America that completed the rigorous training and assessment process required for certification. Parker had already launched a similar program with European distributors and integrators, but the new North American program begins with Parker’s existing hydraulic technology center network. It is the only known formal education and certification program in the industry focused on accelerating the transition to low-carbon mobile equipment operations through extensive machine knowledge, application experience and product expertise in both electric and hydraulic technologies.  

To date, Parker has already certified its first three distributors—Nott Company based in Arden Hills, Minn., Depatie Fluid Power in Portage, Mich. and Hydradyne in Fort Worth, Tex. These distributors were targeted for certification because of their track record in designing mobile electrification systems and delivering integrated solutions. Several other distributors have already expressed interest in completing the certification program. 

Criteria and process for certification  

To qualify for certification, prospects must meet the following criteria: 

• Currently a Parker Hydraulic Technology Center, which ensures expertise in advanced hydraulic control. 
• Established presence/success in mobile markets 
• Minimum dollar threshold in sales 
• Appointment of a dedicated mobile control engineer on-staff who is knowledgeable about controls, software and engineering 
• Ability to offer calibration, test, and integration services. 
• Ability to support more than Parker products to help design a complete system, including batteries, battery management software, power distribution, etc. 

Parker’s training and certification program currently consists of three phases: 

1. Virtual overview training of the various technologies and how they work together 
2. Virtual application training to help customers choose the right components, size a motor correctly, etc. 
3. Onsite, hands-on, deep dive training at Parker’s Mobile Electrification Center in Marysville, Ohio, where extensive research and development of Parker’s SMART electrification products and solutions is conducted. At this level, participants are trained on the finer points of designing efficient electrification systems, including configuring control systems and designing the right pump and control combinations. 

Since electrification technologies and applications are constantly evolving, there will be a recertification phase added to the formal process in future years. 

Representatives from Parker and Nott Company celebrate the opening of Nott’s new Mobile Electrification Technology Center which has been certified by Parker to provide industry-leading expertise and technologies to OEMs looking to electrify their fleets.Parker Hannifin

Overcoming electrification challenges

The electrification of mobile equipment is not without its challenges. It requires the knowledge of how to integrate hydraulic, electrical and control systems to maximize machine operation on a single battery charge. Stringent safety regulations must also be met while delivering a feasible and cost-effective solution. 

Thanks to a growing network of trained partners, Parker is supporting more customers with a decentralized support structure that allows the company to be regionally responsive and nimble in offering a deep breadth of industry-leading products and technologies.