ABB and Munro Vehicles team up to take electric vehicle innovation off road

12-04-2022

•   Rugged, all-terrain EV maker Munro Vehicles selects ABB’s high-performance cable protection
•   ABB Harnessflex® cable solutions connect and protect the new Munro all-electric 4x4 system 
•   Robust EV wiring protection required to prevent damage in the harshest off-road conditions 

Munro Vehicles, the British start-up and builder of all-terrain four-wheel-drive electric vehicles (EVs) has unveiled its prototype Munro Mark 1 all-electric 4x4 at ABB’s cable protection facility in Coleshill, UK. The Munro® engineering team selected Harnessflex cable management solutions from ABB Installation Products to provide essential protection to the rugged EV’s critical cable and wiring systems. 

Munro Vehicles chose ABB as a partner because its cable management solutions are proven to protect EV electrical systems in the most demanding environments. The cable protection system is designed to withstand increased EV running temperatures, abrasion, shock and vibration, and potentially corrosive detergents, oils and grease. ABB’s engineering team designed a routing and cable protection system to integrate into the Munro Mark 1’s high and low voltage wiring. In addition to ABB’s 40-year heritage in Coleshill, its Harnessflex EVO™ conduit systems help Munro Vehicles meet its goal of building a UK supply chain.  

“A vehicle’s electrical wiring is its heartbeat. Our Harnessflex cable and connector protection solutions help maximize productivity and protect against electrical system failures whether the EV is used for everyday transportation or challenging off-road and working conditions,” said Nathan Cook, Global Business Development manager for Harnessflex, ABB Installation Products Division. 

ABB’s Harnessflex cable and conduit technology is used in a wide range of commercial applications such as electric generators and heavy-duty electric automobiles, as well as construction and municipal equipment, buses, lorries, trucks, trams, trains, and other EV transportation. Based on the specific and evolving requirements for electric heavy-duty vehicles, the Harnessflex team works with EV makers, transportation providers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) on electrical wiring protection solutions. 

“We built our all-terrain electric vehicles with durable, readily available components that perform in all types of conditions a Munro driver may encounter exploring or working,” said Russ Peterson, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Munro Vehicles. “Working with ABB and the Harnessflex team to integrate trusted solutions that are well proven in the heavy automotive sector is enabling us to drive innovation and offer an entirely new type of electric vehicle.” 

ABB engineers developed a range of Harnessflex® products used on Munro Vehicles, including ABB Type CPC EVO™ (Electric Vehicle Orange) Conduit; ABB’s Harnessflex X-Temp™ (Extreme Temperature resistant) Conduit; Concept EVO backshells for HV connectors; Backshells for LV connectors; Joiners, T pieces, Y pieces and manifolds for conduit routing; and Harnessflex conduit clips and accessories. Harnessflex EVO™ conduit systems are manufactured in RAL2003 orange for full compliance on EV systems that require identifiable cable runs.