Freudenberg e-Power Systems and LG Energy Solution (LGES) have agreed to supply lithium-ion battery cell modules totalling 19 GWh. This is to meet the growing demand for commercial vehicles in North America and Europe and ensure adequate supply, said the press release.
The contract is a significant step forward for both companies in making electric drives for commercial vehicles more environmentally friendly. Freudenberg’s e-Power Systems is a market leader in emission-free energy systems with high battery robustness and durability standards.
The collaboration entails the supply of lithium-ion battery cell modules suitable for use in commercial vehicles. These batteries must handle up to 11 times more energy throughput than passenger cars. In addition, Freudenberg e-Power Systems will integrate the battery cell modules supplied by LGES into battery packs.
The finished product will be a complete drive solution for the truck and bus industries, with intelligent battery management systems, cooling, telematics, and other relevant components. The battery cell modules will be assembled at the XALT gigafactory in Michigan, USA, which Freudenberg e-Power Systems recently acquired. The company is spending much money to expand its battery business and capacities.
LGES is expanding into the commercial vehicle sector by leveraging its expertise in battery manufacturing, said the company. The company intends to expand its commercial vehicle battery business in North America and Europe through its partnership with Freudenberg.
“Our partnership with FEPS will serve as a launch pad to lead in the commercial vehicle battery market, which has the potential for exponential growth,” said Dong-Myung Kim, President of Advanced Automotive Battery Division at LG Energy Solution. “Together with Freudenberg, we’ll try to create customer value that can’t be beaten. We’ll do this by combining our different skills in all areas related to batteries, such as battery cells, modules, packs, and BMS.”
“The official signing ceremony marks a special day for us as we take another strategically important step to best serve our customers with top-quality battery solutions in the heavy-duty sector. As the preferred partner of LGES in this segment, we are strengthening our collaboration with one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers,” summarises Nils Martens, CCO Freudenberg e-Power Systems, at the signing ceremony.