USA / France – In 2022 T&BB reported that French battery systems supplier, Forsee Power SAS of Paris, planned to open a multimillion-dollar Gigafactory in Hilliard, Ohio, to serve the North American electric Commercial Vehicle (CV) market. To achieve a 3 GWh production capacity by 2027, the company has made significant strides over the last 18 months. Sophie Tricaud, Director of Communication and Public Affairs at Forsee Power in response to T&BB confirmed that building work in Ohio was now complete and that production lines were being installed with series production scheduled to start in Q3 2024.

Production numbers are dependent on contracts and orders of course, but Tricaud advised T&BB that the facility has been designed to be “highly flexible” in terms of fulfilling contract orders. Forsee has been cagey about talking about specific contracts, but it has confirmed that it will supply BAE Systems with its Forsee Zen Plus battery system* to equip BAE’s Gen3 powertrain on a class 7 demonstration truck, which it is developing with Eaton Corporation. These batteries are to be produced at the new American factory, with delivery expected to take place sometime between Q3 and Q4 this year.