This factory represents a major investment and will focus on producing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, including buses, trucks, and other commercial vehicles.

Wrightbus has chosen the Zen Plus batteries due to their high energy density (180 Wh/kg) and long cycle life (5,000). The Zen Plus battery utilises a 77 kWh NMC lithium-ion cells.

This debut marks the first product from Maxion Structural Components' global partnership with French battery supplier, Forsee Power, announced in April last year.

The company added Canadian bus manufacturer Letenda to its client list. Forsee announced that its Zen Plus battery systems will be integrated into Letenda’s 9-metre Electrip zero-emission buses in Q4 2024. According to Forsee, use of NMC lithium-ion cells allows the battery pack to offer up to 5,000 charging cycles, increasing its TCO.

The European e-bus market gathered in Bonn, Germany to test drive several OEM’s new electric bus (some articulated) offerings. T&BB was in attendance as we gathered at the Stadtwerke Bonn bus depot to begin comparison testing.

In the heavy vehicle segment, the company sold 145,506 battery units in 2023 compared with 87,844 the previous year, a change of +65.6%. Conversely, in the light vehicle segment, 2023 sales rose to 25,831, a +11.5% increase from 2022 figures (23,175). Analysing total sales, 2023 saw a 54.3% growth, to 171,338, from 2022 sales figures of 111,019.

Sophie Tricaud, Director of Communication and Public Affairs at Forsee Power in response to T&BB confirmed that building works in Ohio is now complete and that the production lines were being installed, with series production scheduled to start in Q3 2024.

The company is set to supply BAE Systems with its Forsee Zen Plus battery system to equip BAE’s Gen3 powertrain on a class 7 demonstration truck. The batteries will be produced at Forsee’s new manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio, beginning in Q1 2024.

As the new Chief Technical and Operations Officer, Joel Theut will lead all operations relating to the company’s supply chain, R&D and innovation, bringing over 30 years of international automotive experience in product development, business development and project management.

Tasked with stabilising the company’s finances, Meyer brings more than 20 years of experience in international finance.

The new heavy-duty battery is available in two options, 52 kWh and 56 kWh which can support both 650V and 800V motorisation. It can be charged and discharged with a continuous current of 160A at 2 degrees Celsius and is suitable for peak charge and discharge of 400A at 5 degrees Celsius.  

Customers will consult them on the best e-powertrain layout for their needs, considering factors such as: maximising use of the available space; optimising weight distribution and the vehicle’s total weight; optimising vehicle payload and power, based on the customer’s use case.