Course in Traction Batteries for Heavy Machinery
Online 300-hour course in traction batteries for heavy machinery. 6 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (batteries and waste batteries), IEC 62619 (safety of lithium batteries for industrial applications) and MATLAB/Simulink. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Traction Batteries for Heavy Machinery — studying from the United States
Off-road and specialty vehicle engineering is a strong part of American manufacturing, with heavy equipment and agricultural machinery produced across Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas and North Carolina. Companies such as Caterpillar, Deere & Company and Oshkosh Corporation design construction, agricultural, mining and specialty vehicles. Engineers focus on hydraulics, powertrains, operator ergonomics and durability under demanding conditions. Compliance with emissions and safety standards shapes much of the design process.
Fees for the United States: US$890 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
What US bodies are relevant to off-road and special vehicle engineering?
SAE International is central, publishing off-road and heavy machinery standards. Machinery safety is addressed by OSHA, and emissions by the EPA. Professional PE licensure is granted by state boards. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited, so recognition for particular roles is decided by employers or the relevant body.
Where do off-road and special vehicle engineers work in the United States?
Employers include agricultural, construction, and mining equipment manufacturers, defense and specialty vehicle builders, and off-road accessory companies. Roles include design, testing, and drivetrain engineering. Employers evaluate applied skill and experience, so use your final project to show practical competence to hiring managers.
How flexible is the programme for working professionals in the US?
The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Workloads are 300, 800, or 1,900 hours depending on the programme type, so plan your time accordingly. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, so ask your employer early.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Define the battery requirements of a heavy machine.
Compare cell chemistries and module configurations.
Size the battery pack according to the duty cycle.
Analyse degradation mechanisms and charging strategies.
Integrate the battery with thermal management and BMS.
Apply battery safety and transport requirements.
Calculate the total cost of ownership compared with diesel solutions.
Who it's for
- Battery engineer who wants to specialise in Traction Batteries for Heavy Machinery.
- Battery management system (BMS) engineer who wants to specialise in Traction Batteries for Heavy Machinery.
- Machinery electrification engineer who wants to specialise in Traction Batteries for Heavy Machinery.
- Electrical equipment maintenance technician who wants to specialise in Traction Batteries for Heavy Machinery.
- Systems integration engineer who wants to specialise in Traction Batteries for Heavy Machinery.
- Electrical safety manager who wants to specialise in Traction Batteries for Heavy Machinery.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter electrified construction machinery.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (batteries and waste batteries)
- IEC 62619 (safety of lithium batteries for industrial applications)
- IEC 62660-1 (lithium-ion cells for electric vehicles: performance)
- UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, section 38.3
- IEC 62485-3 (safety of traction batteries)
- ISO 6469-1 (electric vehicles: safety requirements)
- EN 1175 (safety of industrial trucks: electrical requirements)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Differences from a car battery1.2Power and energy demand over duty cycles1.3Current peaks and their effect1.4Cycle life and calendar life1.5Weight and volume available on the machine1.6Environment: vibration, dust, water and temperature1.7Sector safety requirements1.8Terminology: capacity, energy, power and state of charge1.9Realistic range expectations1.10Workshop: defining application requirements
2.1Available chemistries and their behaviour2.2Cell formats and their integration2.3Series and parallel connection; voltage and current2.4Modules, frame and mechanical protection2.5Interconnections and contact resistance2.6Battery management system and its functions2.7Cell balancing2.8Measurement of voltage, current and temperature2.9Diagnostics and state-of-charge estimation2.10Practical: preliminary pack design
3.1Calculating the energy required per shift3.2Required peak and continuous power3.3Reserve margin and operating window3.4Charge and discharge losses3.5Effect of temperature on usable capacity3.6Expected degradation and oversizing3.7Real versus nominal range3.8Comparison with a fuel tank3.9Verifying sizing with field data3.10Practical: energy sizing of a machine
4.1Charging profiles and their effect on lifespan4.2Fast charging and its trade-off with degradation4.3Recommended state-of-charge windows4.4Long-term storage and charge maintenance4.5State-of-health estimation4.6Manufacturer warranties and conditions4.7Usage logging and its value in the warranty4.8Module replacement and compatibility4.9Second life and end of life4.10Practical: battery usage and monitoring plan
5.1Location on the machine and mass distribution5.2Protection against impact and crushing5.3Sealing and water protection5.4Pack thermal management5.5High-voltage wiring and protection5.6Service disconnect and interlocks5.7Fault behaviour and safe states5.8Applicable regulations and tests5.9Documentation and marking5.10Practical: integration specification
6.1Organising work according to range6.2Operator training and useful habits6.3Battery system maintenance6.4Diagnostics and spare parts6.5Pack and life-cycle cost6.6Economic comparison with diesel6.7Waste and producer responsibility6.8Common mistakes in battery projects6.9Trends in traction batteries6.10Final project: complete specification of a battery system
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, PyBaMM, GT-SUITE, Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real laboratory cell-cycling procedures, field BMS data analysis, charging tests and thermal management. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Define the battery requirements of a heavy machine.
Compare cell chemistries and module configurations.
Size the battery pack according to the duty cycle.
Analyse degradation mechanisms and charging strategies.
Integrate the battery with thermal management and BMS.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards reading.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The work is carried out with MATLAB/Simulink, PyBaMM, GT-SUITE, Python (pandas). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An in-house SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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