Pioneering Off-Road Electrification

Since 2019, from their industrial park on the outskirts of Glasgow, Munro Vehicles has been engineering a new generation of all-electric off-road vehicles. The Munro M170 and M280 follow a function-first philosophy, pairing a traditional ladder-frame chassis with a state-of-the-art electric drivetrain. They are built for demanding sectors such as forestry, mining, agriculture, mountain rescue and the military, with unmatched off-road capability, a big cut in fleet CO2 emissions, and a service life intended to exceed 30 years.

At the heart of the vehicle’s electrical architecture is a decision made early in development: the Hardwire Electronics PDM25. Each Munro EV uses two of them. One at the front controls essential equipment like coolant pumps and headlights, and one at the rear manages interior lighting and window motors. Connected over the vehicle’s CAN bus, the PDMs communicate with each other and with the main Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) for fully integrated, vehicle-wide control.

The PDM25 was critical to meeting Munro’s ambitious design goals, with several key advantages over traditional fuse and relay systems.

Flexibility in design

Vehicle development involves frequent changes, with electrical components often added or removed. Because the PDM25 is programmable, engineers can reassign and reconfigure outputs on the fly with no wiring changes. That saved significant time and cost during the design and prototyping of the M170 and M280.

Enhanced reliability and longevity

A core objective for the Munro EV is a long, reliable service life. Replacing mechanical relays and fuses, which fail over time and especially in harsh environments, with the PDM25’s solid-state electronics gives Munro a more durable electrical system that is resistant to vibration, water and dirt. That matters a great deal in an off-road vehicle.

Sophisticated vehicle control

With both PDM25 units on the CAN bus network, the VCU can run sophisticated control strategies: intelligent power distribution, fault detection and system monitoring that improve both safety and performance.

Overall cost savings

The PDM25 saves money throughout the vehicle’s life, through simpler wiring loom designs, fewer individual electrical components, and lower long-term maintenance and repair costs.

As Munro Vehicles scales up production to meet a growing order book for 2026 and beyond, the company has confirmed its commitment to its partnership with Hardwire Electronics. The proven performance and reliability of the PDM25 have made it a foundation of Munro’s mission to build the world’s most capable and enduring all-electric 4x4s.