Brazil - Maxion Structural Components SA, based in Cruzeiro, SP, is set to unveil an integrated concept chassis with integrated battery packs for high-floor suburban electric buses at Lat.Bus Transpublico in São Paulo, August 6-8, 2024. This debut marks the first product from Maxion Structural Components' global partnership with French battery supplier, Forsee Power SAS, announced in April last year.

The concept chassis, designed for high-floor suburban passenger vehicles, accommodates up to eight Forsee Power LFP 36 kWh battery packs between the chassis side members, providing a total energy storage capacity of up to 288 kWh.

Lamartine Barbosa, Global Business Director of Maxion Structural Products and Head of Maxion e-Mobility, explained to Truck & Bus Builder last week that the focus of this project was on the design of the chassis. Emphasizing lightweighting, strength, and the integration of the Forsee Power battery packs into the chassis without compromising passenger capacity and payload, he said, the design also ensures easy access for assembly and disassembly.

Beyond the electric chassis concept, Barbosa noted that Maxion is collaborating with Forsee Power in three additional key areas of the commercial vehicle sector:

1. Battery Cradles: Designing lighter-weight metal support structures.

2. Repower: Creating battery cradles for repowering ICE-powered vehicles and new mounting structures for used electric vehicles.

3. Contract OEM Operations: Battery cradle and assembly operations.

Forsee Power, a significant supplier to European city bus markets, is also establishing a battery pack assembly plant in Columbus, Ohio, USA, set to open in the second half of this year. Maxion Structural Components plans to display the chassis concept at the plant's inauguration.

Maxion Structural Components:

• A division of Iochpe-Maxion, headquartered in Cruzeiro, São Paulo.

• Operates 10 plants across four countries: Brazil (4), Argentina (4), Mexico (1), and Uruguay (1).

• Employs over 9,000 people.