Power Progress International | Alkè’s versatile electric vehicles

Case study on the choice of the right battery for multifunctional electric vehicles. The story of Alkè.

Alkè was founded in 1992 in Northern Italy and it produces electric vehicles for on road transport, logistics and other multifunctional or special uses. Among the segments covered by the company are communal uses, such as municipal services, waste collection, and hospitals; and industry and logistics, such as industrial plants, logistic services, and last-mile delivery. These vehicles are used also in the touristic sector, as for example in holiday resorts, hotels, and campsites, as well as in agricultural applications such as vineyards, horse-riding centers, and others. Alkè delivers also explosion-proof machines for the oil & gas industry, tunneling, and mining.

Alkè’s most popular vehicle is the ATX 340, available in the E/ED/EH/EDH versions. It is a robust and high-perfomance machine with cargo capacity of 1630 kg and it can pull a trailer weight of up to 4500 kg. Alkè said that this machine is ideal for intensive use: it is homologated for on road travel but is excellent for off-road use, on difficult terrains and steep inclines. It can mount several implements, such as crane, hydraulic tailgate, or pressure washer, and is therefore adaptable to various segments including industry, public works, and tourism.

The ATX 340 is also the Alkè’s vehicle with more autonomy, up to 200 km, and mounts lithium batteries by the Italian specialist Flash Battery, which supplies two energy solutions with 21.5 and 10.8 kWh tailored to the specific Alkè vehicles’ needs. Choosing the right battery pack is certainly key for the performance of full electric vehicles, and Alkè explained that the choice fell on lithium units by Flash Battery which were configured according to the company’s requirements. Alkè also commented that these batteries are fit for the various uses that its machines are utilized for, which are often quite different from one another.