Scania and Northvolt Develop Battery Cells for Heavy Commercial Vehicles

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Commercial vehicle maker Scania and Swedish company Northvolt have agreed jointly to develop and market battery cells for heavy commercial vehicles. Scania intends to invest ten million euros in the partnership to support further development of and the establishment of a demonstration line. The money is also to be spent on Northvolt’s research facility.

Electrification of heavy commercial vehicles

For heavy trucks and buses, continued development of both the charging infrastructure, as well as more robust, cost efficient and sustainable battery cells, is critical for a widespread market breakthrough according to Scania. Different transport assignments require different electric powertrains. To achieve the best effect, battery and cell technologies would therefore have to be developed to meet the various needs.

The two companies intend to establish an expert team and work together at Northvolt Labs in Västerås, Sweden, in order to optimise the production of battery cells for use in electric commercial vehicles. The companies have also entered into an off-take purchase agreement for battery cells.

Northvolt and ABB are planning to build a battery factory

Northvolt has announced plans to build the largest and most modern lithium-ion battery factory in Europe, in the Swedish city of Skellefteå. The industrial group ABB will contribute expertise in industrial automation, Northvolt commented last September when signing a Memorandum of Understanding for a supply and technology partnership with ABB. ABB Technology Ventures (ATV) will support the initial phase of this project with seed capital. The factory is expected to begin production in 2010.