German battery manufacturer AKASOL is partnering with Norwegian company ZEM to develop lithium-ion batteries for maritime use, one month after its announcement of a large-scale expansion of its production capacities.
The first joint product, AKAZEM 15 OEM, is a self-contained modular battery unit designed for workboats, fishing boats and small passenger ferries.
The system, which developed from AKASOL’s large-series production of the AKASystem OEM designed for buses, is also being used in the world’s first battery-driven freefall lifeboat, a joint project with Norsafe.
Sven Schulz (right), CEO of AKASOL, said: “The unique modularity opened a wide range of applications.”
The new products, launched at the international shipping exhibition Nor-Shipping in Oslo last week, follow AKASOL’s expansion at two sites in Germany. A new facility with more than 3,000sq m of production halls and office space will open in Langen later this year, and an extra 700sq m of production space has been added at the company’s headquarters in Darmstadt.
The Langen plant will focus on the assembly of lithium-ion battery systems for European bus manufacturers.
The extension at Darmstadt is being used for small-scale series production for customers in the commercial vehicle, railway and marine industries.