KAMAG orders high voltage batteries to electrify heavy trucks

Alelion Energy Systems  has received an order for high voltage batteries from the German special vehicle manufacturer KAMAG to electrify the powertrain of one of its heavy truck models.

Alelion has proven expertise in delivery as well as a reputation for industry leading innovation in the growing field of sustainable lithium-ion battery technologies. As part of a joint development project, Alelion will deliver a first batch of batteries in 2018. The remainder of the order will be delivered during 2019.

The heavy vehicle segment is an important part of the future for lithium-ion batteries. 

"More and more vehicle manufacturers are investigating the possibilities to convert to sustainable, all electric powertrains due to environmental- and climate issues," says Daniel Troedsson, CEO of Alelion. "Our long experience with lithium-ion technology in the forklift industry puts us in a good position to design the power supplies of tomorrow and contribute to the electrification of the heavy vehicle industry."

KAMAG's planned electrified truck is a multi-purpose vehicle to be used with semitrailers and for transporting goods in ports, warehouses, mail and package handling sites - as well as on production sites and at airports. The driverless version of the KAMAG E-Wiesel AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) truck is adapted for automated logistic centres.

The multi-purpose vehicle can be configured with a maximum of four battery packs for optimised range and efficiency. The trucks come with several engine alternatives and the battery packs are all based on high-performance li-ion cells. The applications use high voltage to minimise losses in the electrical powertrain, now a common standard within the automotive industry.

The order is an important step for Alelion as it is currently building Sweden's first large scale lithium-ion battery factory with a capacity of 500 MWh yearly, with its own embedded development resources. The factory will be situated in the midst of the automotive cluster at Hisingen, Gothenburg and is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2018.