German battery manufacturer Akasol has launched production of its high-performance lithium-ion systems for commercial vehicles at its new EUR10 million ($11.7m) plant in Langen, near Frankfurt.
Akasol started production on 16 November at the 600MWh capacity facility. The company said it has already secured contracts to supply its battery systems for 10,000 buses being built by two European bus manufacturers in the next few years.
The plant can produce battery systems for up to 3,000 hybrid or electric vehicles or other large commercial vehicles each year, the company said. Langen will manufacture the company’s AKAsystem OEM for commercial vehicles, such as buses and trucks.
A spokesperson told BBB: “In general, Akasol is using five different kinds of battery cells. The cell type depends on the individual project.”
The spokesperson said cells for the battery systems currently under production in Langen are from South Korea, but declined to give details.
Akasol managing director Sven Schulz said: “We are the only mass manufacturing company offering flexibility for battery size and cell chemistry, while fulfilling all performance, reliability and security requirements for our clients.”
Last June, Akasol said it was partnering with Norwegian company ZEM to develop lithium-ion batteries for maritime use. Akasol said it had added 700 square metres of production space to its headquarters in Darmstadt to produce batteries for customers in marine, rail and commercial vehicle industries.