KION Battery Systems (KBS), the joint venture between industrial truck maker KION Group and battery manufacturer BMZ Holding, has started production of lithium-ion batteries in Germany.
KBS will initially make 48-volt and 80-volt batteries for counterbalanced trucks with 24-volt batteries for smaller warehouse equipment to be added later.
Launched last year, KBS established a production facility in Karlstein am Main, the headquarters of the BMZ group of companies, to make batteries for the EMEA region.
The 4,000 square meter production hall will produce more than 12,000 batteries of the KION Group brands annually on two new production lines. There is also administration, research and storage areas.
Since production launched, KBS is focusing on expanding capacity and developing new battery systems.
KION already offers customers all drive technologies, from combustion engines to lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries to fuel cells.
A KBS statement read: “The lithium-ion battery has a very special advantage in electromobility. In contrast to the classic lead-acid battery, it does not have to be changed due to the short charging times and interim charging options.
“In addition, the development of the lithium-ion battery has made enormous progress in recent years. It is already an interesting, economical alternative in all areas of application of forklifts, especially in intensive shift work – even in heavy equipment for transporting large loads.”
Both companies each hold 50% of the JV with equal rights.
