Vehicle manufacturer Hangcha Group has announced a new lithium joint venture with handling and lifting equipment manufacturer Manitou, which will be headquartered in Le Mans, France.
The new joint venture will focus on manufacturing and distributing lithium-ion batteries for industrial vehicles and furthering the premium industrial vehicle market.
This is especially to help customers transition from lead-acid battery vehicles to lithium.
The new lithium joint venture firm said its lithium batteries deliver 50%+ higher energy density than equivalent lead-acid battery vehicles, has one-to-two hour fast charging, and a three-to-five times longer lifespan.
The firm said it has integrated smart management systems to boost equipment utilisation and lower operating costs.
Zhao Limin, chairman and general manager, Hangcha Group, said, “Deepening strategic cooperation with Manitou Group and jointly establishing a lithium battery joint venture marks a new phase in the partnership between the two sides, which is a milestone in Hangcha’s global industrial layout. Leveraging Hangcha’s core technological and manufacturing strengths in lithium battery solutions, we will collaboratively enhance solution capability of new energy industrial vehicle power system. This partnership perfectly aligns with our shared objectives to accelerate electrification transformation and drive sustainable development, while providing robust support to the broader industrial vehicle market.”
Michel Denis, president and CEO, Manitou Group, added, “This creation, undertaken with one of our long-standing partners, will allow us to accelerate the deployment of our electric industrial vehicles’ ranges, in line with the ambitions announced during the presentation of our new ‘LIFT’ roadmap. Hangcha’s expertise in battery manufacturing significantly increases our battery production capabilities and fully integrates with our low-carbon trajectory.”
Image: The new lithium joint venture from Hangcha and Manitou. Credit: Manitou.
